Lost Wallet

Have you ever lost your wallet? I got home from the movies on Saturday night and discovered that my wallet was not in my purse. I went straight back to the car and searched on the seat, in between the seats, even in the back seat although my purse was never in the back seat. I retraced my steps. No wallet on the ground or on the porch or in the house. I checked my purse again. No, it still wasn’t there. So I called the movie theater. The wallet hadn’t been found during clean up between shows but they would look more thoroughly after the last show. I left a detailed description of where I’d been sitting and what my wallet looks like. I was told to call back Sunday morning around 10:30 and talk to the manager. He should know something by then.

I started to think about the things in my wallet. $21.00 and some change. Two credit cards. My Starbucks card with over $30 on it! My driver’s license--I wouldn’t mind trying for a better picture. That’s about it. Cards can be replaced and the money could serve as a donation if someone finds my wallet and doesn’t return it. Losing my wallet is annoying but it’s not the end of the world.

I said a prayer, “Father, you know where my wallet is. Would you please watch over it for me tonight. I can’t do anything about finding it right now. I appreciate you keeping your eye on it for me.” I woke up a few times during the night with a similar prayer on my mind, “God, thanks for keeping my wallet safe tonight.”

Sunday morning Pastor Steve preached about loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing is as important as our relationship with God. We mustn’t love anything more than we love God. Of course I don’t love my wallet more than I love God. I don’t love money or coffee more than I love God. I wondered what God was trying to teach me through my missing wallet. No matter what the outcome, I would write about my wallet.

After Church, I went home to call the movie theater. They hadn’t found the wallet. The manager suggested I call the mall customer service to see if the wallet had been turned in there. I called, no answer. I left a message. I really was expecting the wallet to be in the movie theater manager’s office. Before calling to cancel credit cards, I took one more look in my purse and then went out to search the car in the daylight. There it was. My wallet wedged between the passenger seat and the door. It’d been there all the time. Or had it?

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Lord! I was glad my story has this happy ending, but also grateful for the journey from lost to found. Would you agree that my lost wallet story was more interesting because God had a starring role? Let God be the star in all of your stories!

IUMC is 100 years old. The celebration day (AUG 5, 2007) was wonderful. 127 celebrants were ready to worship at 9:30 a.m. Special guests included Bishop Robert Hayes and his wife Dee, District Superintendent Chuck Horton and his wife Nancy, and pastor families from our past Faye Good and Judith and Robert Eichling. There were lots of other visitors from near and far as well as regulars and irregulars. Our special centennial speaker, Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr., delivered a powerful message of hope and celebration. The music complimented each part of the service from Janie Harrell’s ever amazing piano playing to Bob Macfadzean on violin to the congregational singing and the choir belting out “How Great Thou Art.” The service is available on videotape for anyone who would like to view it (assuming there were no technical difficulties*).

After church and before the luncheon, folks visited, purchased commemorative centennial plates, looked at church photo albums, toured the church, and prepared for the upcoming meal. Lunch was served at 12:00 noon as planned. In contrast to the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with three fish and two loaves of bread, at our centennial lunch he fed 100 with enough food for 1000. It was quite a banquet. Look for pictures in this week’s County Times and join us for worship service next Sunday.

*Late breaking news…There were technical difficulties. The service recorded with picture only. Where did the sound go? We haven’t found it yet. So, the video is available for viewing but you can’t hear the Bishop preach, or the choir sing, or the musicians play…

Welcome to the Indiahoma UMC blog!

I hope this becomes a place for fruitful discussion and thoughtful communication between Indiahomans worldwide.

Best,

~mari.