Matthew 18 :11" For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost"

Yesterday I got a phone call from a dear friend of mine. She is someone I love hearing from and her calls always brighten my day. When she phoned me yesterday morning, she asked me if I had a few minutes, and I knew she needed to talk. I sat down with my coffee, excited that we had a few minutes to catch up. My friend began to tell me the story of her weekend. She had been on a camping trip up to one of California's national forests over the Labor Day weekend. She had gone with her family..her husband, kids, and grandchildren. They had been there for several days, and each morning, my friend had gotten up to walk her dogs. She liked the brisk morning air, and would set off with the dogs on her morning journey to just spend time enjoying some of the beauty that God has created for us to enjoy.
On Monday morning, she was up early, as she had been for the two previous days. She waited for it to get light outside and then grabbed the leashes and the dogs and she was off for her walk. Something was different this time though. Even though she had walked among these woods the two previous days, things looked different that day, and she became a little confused about which direction she had come from. When she started to head back in the direction she believed camp to be, she realized after some time, that she was lost. She hoped that the dogs might lead her back, so she tried for a time to follow their lead, but to no avail. She was totally and completely lost..and now a couple of hours had gone by. She knew that her family would wake up and realize she was missing, and begin to look for her. She kept walking and started to pray. After several more hours, of making her way through the deeply wooded area, she came upon a trail. She decided to just sit down and wait. She knew that people by now would be out looking for her..and they were. Her sons were out on their quads looking..the park ranger had organized dogs, and other people to help out. By now, the search party was about 30 - 40 people. Six hours after my friend had gone for what she thought was a simple walk with the dogs, she sat down on a trail that she had come upon, and prayed. She didn't know it, but back at camp, her family was praying too. Her little 7 year old grandaughter had climbed up onto a rock and was crying out for God to protect and bring back her grandma. God sent her answer. A police officer came up the trail, spotted my friend, and gave her a ride back to camp. When she got there, her husband was sobbing. He grabbed her and hugged her, along with her entire family, including her precious little grandaughter. As she told me the story, I was in tears too. I was so thankful that God had protected her. I've heard stories of people who were never found.
Then I thought about Jesus. My friend's story is not that different from what we experience daily. It is so easy sometimes to get off the path that God has for us. It is so easy to get lost in life. It is so easy to lose sight of our goals..it is so easy to slip..it is so easy to fall. It is so easy to lose our bearings. It is so easy to lose our footing and stumble.
I thought all day yesterday about this beloved friend. She is a woman of God. I thought about all that she has instilled into the lives and hearts of her family and those around her. Hers is a friendship that I am greatful for. Anyone who knows her knows that she simply loves Jesus..and He loves her. She was never alone out there Monday. Neither are any of you. No matter what trial you are facing, He is with you. If you have stumbled, He is here. If you have fallen, He is there. If you have lost your bearings, He is there. As my friend's little grandaughter climbed high up onto the rock and began to pray, you can do the same thing. You can stand on the Rock. You can know that when you have lost your way, He IS the way. You can find comfort in the fact that your Savior wants to lift you and even carry you. He wants to give you direction. He loves you. He wants to help you through on the path of life...and when you have walked the path, just as my friend's husband was waiting for her Monday with open arms to greet her, your husband..the One you are betrothed to..the One who waits for you..will be there for you too. It will be quite a reunion.
Today, stand on the Rock. Cry out to Jesus. Tell Him of the things that are trying to lead you down the wrong path. He will certainly give you strength, direction, and care..for the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.