I have a problem.

It began back in the 90’s. Somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico is a set of keys to a 1991 Toyota Previa. More recently I misplace a set of keys on a trip to St. Louis (My wife now carries a valet key) only to find the keys a couple of hours later in my back pocket. Who would have thought to look there?

Last Friday I lost one of my cherished possessions. I have a set of noise-canceling earbuds that I use while traveling or cutting the grass. iPod + earphones = an enjoyable trip around the two acres.

Over the weekend, I repeatedly checked the pockets of two suits, three coats, several pairs of jeans, under the seats in two cars, both trunks, the office….all to no avail.

On Monday morning I called the local Panera Bread store where I met a friend for breakfast on Friday. Now I am grasping at straws, but to my surprise, the manager said someone had found the earphones. I rushed in, ordered breakfast and anxiously waited while the earphones were retrieved. And although I had dropped them in the parking lot, the still work perfectly.

I felt like the woman Christ referred to in Luke 15.

8″Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

What joy God must feel for one who turns to Him.