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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Happy (07/12/07)
Walking along the dusty road she looked around with a smile in her soul, rejoicing at her healthy family, the fellowship she was enjoying on this journey home, and the peace of God that was her constant companion. She thanked Almighty God for her blessings and the time she had spent in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover with family and friends. As she turned to Joseph to tell him that her heart overflowed with the gladness and love she felt, she caught sight of little Simon, her youngest, with some of the other boys which prompted her to mentally scan the rest of the caravan for her other children. She couldn’t see Jesus, her eldest. After her initial inquiries, she asked Joseph to retrace his steps where most of the men travelled together while she went ahead to ask the women and children if they had seen Jesus. None had. The fear that began to grip her heart overwhelmed God’s peace that had taken root there … Joseph reported none of the pilgrims had seen Jesus since leaving Jerusalem early that morning, sunset was now upon them. Joseph and Mary gathered their beloved children and put them in the care of their dearest friends, explaining they would meet in Bethany with their brother.
Mary’s dread was tangible and all she could think of was finding her lost son. Jerusalem was a vast place for a 12 year old. She and her husband debated the best strategy for finding Jesus: should they remain together or apart, start in different parts of the city ... return to the lodgings they had used while there?
When they reached the Holy City they cried out to Almighty God to guide their footsteps … their relatives who had provided accommodation for them during the festivals, had not seen Jesus. From daylight until dawn together they searched the city. Gradually the thought of the Temple dawned on Mary. Mary again felt God’s peace fill her heart as she and Joseph’s footsteps were directed toward the Temple. As they approached her eyes filled with tears of joy as she saw her son, God’s Son. Jesus was talking with the religious leaders who were listening to his questions but also his comments and they, like the boy’s parents were amazed at his knowledge - a mere boy, as he talked of the Kingdom of God. Mary was HAPPY! Her lost son was found. Of course he would be about His Heavenly Father’s work!

It was a glorious day on the beach, the water was dazzling, sea gulls dived and screeched, children giggled and squeeled as they ran from the waves. We were digging tunnels in the sand for the miniature vehicles to go through and over as they journeyed to the car park near the castle we had outlined with pretty shells picked up from the around the rocks. The young boy of three years old asked if he could go to collect another tool for our important work and as it was only 5 metres away, I agreed. My attention was diverted for a moment by another child almost running onto our sand sculptures and when I looked back to where Tim should have been, I couldn’t see him. There were hundreds of people on the beach that day and my eyes scanned the immediate area and then travelled to the waves, all the time alarm swelling within me. I called out to my husband and unsteadily told him the situation before running in the direction of the rest of the family under the pine trees to alert them …
My heart was clutched with terror as we all searched for my missing son. Suddenly I knew I needed to look near the car. As I approached my eyes filled with tears of joy as I saw Tim talking with a young girl, several years older than him. He had become disoriented and she had found him and suggested they wait by the car as the beach was so crowded. He, however, had his own ideas of finding Mummy and was explaining that they should go near the water where he had left Mummy … he looked up, saw me and ran toward me. I was so HAPPY! He was lost and now he was found.

No wonder God’s angels rejoice when one of His children is redeemed - found! Happy, what a joyous, joy-filled word … a word that mothers and fathers love to feel.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Dee Yoder
07/20/07
Wow! I love your analogy to the parents of both lost children. I've always thought that Mary and Joseph must have been truly frightened when they couldn't fine Jesus. Very good article!
Sharlyn Guthrie
07/23/07
This was enjoyable to read. I like your writing style. More white space between paragraphs would make it easier to read. Keep up the great work!