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“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Which is more likely, that she would just forget about it or that she would light a lamp, sweep the floor, and search everywhere until she finds it?” —Luke 15:8 (CEV)

In our world, we are used to things being disposable. If you lose a penny in the couch, you don’t move the couch. If a big company loses a little bit of its inventory, they just write it off. We’ve been trained to believe that the "one" doesn't matter as much as the "many."

But tonight, Jesus tells a story that breaks that logic. He introduces us to a woman who refuses to accept a loss. She doesn't say, "Oh well, I still have nine." She lights a lamp, she gets on her knees, and she moves the furniture until she finds the missing piece.

This story hits home for me because of a memory from my childhood. My grandparents owned a Western store north of Omak. As a kid, I’d watch the staff behind the big old cash register. Occasionally, a coin would hit the floor and roll away. If it wasn't easy to find, they’d just close the drawer and keep moving. They had plenty of other coins.

But I would wait for that store to close. I’d lay on my belly on the carpet and reach my arm as far as it would go under the wooden shelves until I felt that cold bit of metal. When I pulled it out, it felt like a victory.

The coin wasn't lost because it wanted to be. It was lost because someone was careless.

There are people all across our city who are exactly like that coin. They didn't "wander off" or rebel. They were "dropped." Maybe someone in a church was careless with their heart. Maybe they were judged or ignored during a crisis. And just like that clerk at the register, the church "closed the drawer" and kept moving.

If that is you—if you were dropped and forgotten in a dark corner—I am so sorry. On behalf of the church, I apologize that we failed you.

Whether you wandered away like a sheep or were dropped like a coin, the result is the same: you are in the dark. But the heart of God is like that woman with the broom. He doesn't see an "acceptable loss." He sees a treasure. He is moving heaven and earth to find you, not because you’re perfect, but because you are His.

Let's Connect If you have felt "dropped" or ignored, know that the Searcher is looking for you right now. Text Pastor Vic at 509-919-1897 to connect or share your story.

Reflection & Prayer Sometimes we are the ones holding the broom, and sometimes we are the ones in the dark corner. Both need the light of the lamp.

Lord, thank You for being the God who sweeps the floor. Thank You for not closing the drawer on me when I fell. Help me to see the "dropped coins" around me and help me...