It was time to replace our mailbox. Carpenter Bees had systematically destroyed the old one. After carefully following the instructions, I felt satisfied with the final product. That is, until I checked my pocket and found four unused screws.

In this life we will experience loss. While I can tolerate misplacing four screws in a mailbox, I cannot process souls that get lost. This keeps me up at night and disturbs my soul in the day.

In Luke 15 Jesus shares three parables to illustrate the tragedy of lostness. First, the religious leaders lose sheep because of their refusal to associate with notorious sinners (Luke 15:1-7). Second, we can find lost souls if we tenaciously search for them – as the young lady did who lost one of her silver coins (Luke 15:8-10). Third, we lose church family when we do not realize we are our brother’s keeper – as seen in the Parable of the Prodigal son and self-righteous older brother (Luke 15:11-32).

Dear Loved One, if you have not returned to your spiritual family, we are missing you – so very, very much! Please come home. We beg you, please come home!