Found..... Welcome?

"Then his father said, "Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive.  He was lost and is found."" (Luke 15:31-32)

Have you lost something lately?  Is it something you put someplace safe?  You know it will be okay you just have to remember where the someplace safe is.  What about finding something.....  Have you found something, recently, you hadn't really thought of as lost but now you realize it's been quite a while since you thought of it let alone saw it?  Now think of a person who fits this idea.  We all can probably think of someone -- right?  I know I have offered to share anyone of my brothers in the last couple of weeks.  The question is, though, are we excited -  welcoming - of the found "thing" be it an object or a person..... Are we ready to have the party, celebrate and welcome the lost back?

Jesus is telling the third in a series of stories.  We have all heard them so many times we have lost count - right?  The first one is one sheep, out of 100.  The second one is a coin but it is one of ten coins.  Then the story in the Gospel reading this morning.  One of two sons has disappeared - apparently for quite a period of time.  Now the son has returned, the father is excited, runs to meet him and throws a party to celebrate.  How often have we heard this parable and been asked who are we -- the son who took off or the one who stayed?  My question, for you, today is -- can you welcome the "lost" now they have been found?  We are told the father explains why there is a party.  Jesus is talking about why he is with "sinners and eats with them." (v. 2)  Now, when it is people he is talking about he is explaining the "brother of yours was dead and is alive." (v. 32)  Once we understand the reason for the party can we accept, celebrate and welcome?

I have recently "found" (and organized) my sewing room and the extra bed in it.  It is kind of nice to see the bed!  I could even let someone sleep in it it -- with out too much work.  The problem isn't finding the bed.  The problem is the three more quilts I found in finding the bed.  My Lenten discipline is to finish unfinished projects.  I thought I was doing pretty good.  The three quilts, I thought were all of the tops, are finished.  The two sweaters are much further along and the sewing room is much better organized.  This discipline has been a wonderful time with God, strengthening my relationship with God........  but three more quilts....  

I know busy schedules.  I understand unexpected things being added to busy schedules - especially as Caregivers.  Can we add what we have "found" to the list of things?  Can we be excited, celebrate and welcome the "found"?  Something to think about.........