Lost Again!

October 22, 2020

Lost Again!

My first experience of the Sandhills in Nebraska occurred when our first dog was about 11 months old.  She was a registered bird dog; high energy, great nose, and very smart!  She was cute, had a great personality, and could occasionally be a little stubborn.  Perfect!

I confess that I may have ruined her as a hunting dog.  I’m not even sure why we bought a hunting dog.  Neither of us had ever done much hunting and I had close to zero experience hunting with a dog…or even taking care of a dog.  But there we were; a high-powered bird dog with an owner who could not shoot a bird.  That’s not a good recipe for the dog!    

Her first outing was in the Sandhills hunting prairie chickens and grouse north of Bartlett, Nebraska.  My buddy and I arrived at our camping site in the mid-afternoon.  We immediately headed out into the grass-blanketed hills to find some birds.  He and his dog went to the west while my dog and I headed to the south. 

About two hours into the hunting experience, my dog disappeared over the top of a hill.  When I reached the crest of the hill, she was nowhere to be found.  After looking for another hour or so, I returned back to our camp site without my 11-month old pup. 

We ate supper and finally went to bed with my young dog lost in the Sandhills.  I was heart sick.  As I lay in my sleeping bag, the warm tears trickled down my cheeks.  I finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up to the sound of a dog whimpering.  I looked out the door of the camper into the blackness of the night.  I did not see anything.  About the time I started to shut the door, I felt something bump my leg; it was our dog!  She was scared and I was relieved.

She quickly crawled up beside me in bed and did not move a muscle.  Our pup was covered in cockleburs and sandburs; she was a prickly mess!  But, I let her stay the night with me.  The lost was found!

I have walked the Sandhills around Bartlett as well as near the national forest at Halsey, Nebraska many times.  My excursions have always been in the early fall when the different variety of grasses display vibrant reds and blues, yellows and oranges, as well as burgundys and browns. 

The fall is one of my favorite times of year and the Sandhills is one of my favorite places to enjoy the fall.  I no longer do any hunting, but if I get the chance I enjoy a walk in the hills every fall.  Each time I walk or drive through the Sandhills, I remember the day my dog got lost.

I remember how I did everything to find her.  I recall the deep love I felt as I diligently searched for her.  I cherish the memory of her pushing up against me as tight as she could when she found her way back into my arms.

Then, I pause to give Jesus thanks for seeking to find me and save me and hold me when I have lost my way.  In Luke 19:10 we hear; “For the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek out and to save the lost.”

I don’t know that I am all that much different than our dog was on our first trip to the Sandhills.  Too often, I go my own way because I am convinced I know the way to go.  Too often, I fail to listen to the voices of those who know better…including the voice of Jesus.  Too often, I find myself in situations filled with all kinds of prickly and painful experiences.  I end up lost as lost can be! 

The good news is that as I go my way Jesus still wants to hold me in His arms, pull me close to His heart, and keep me always in His love.  The Gospel of Luke reminds us that Jesus came to earth to find those who are lost or distracted as well as those who are wandering or wondering. 

Jesus was born to find me and bring me back.  Jesus lived to find me and bring me back.  Jesus died to find me and bring me back.

I imagine you have a friend who is kind of lost right now.  Your friend is fighting hard to find their way but not having good results.  They are not listening for the voice of Jesus and not paying attention to the voices of family and friends. 

But, they are willing to listen to you.  I invite you to have a cup of coffee with them in the next few days.  Remind them that Jesus came to find them, hold them, and love them.  When they experience being found by Jesus, you will both take delight in the Lord. 

Take delight in the Lord,

Doug