The Art of Finding Anything

While going through a file of old papers, I found an interesting bookmark. Designed to resemble the spine of a book, the title was: “The Art of Finding Anything”, and the publisher was shown as: “www.lycos.com”. Now Lycos is a good search engine, but I’ve got news for them—the true art of finding anything takes place when you move. I should know.

Since I’ve been packing, sorting, cleaning in preparation for our move, I’ve found more things then I knew were lost. Trust me, even Lycos wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails of the jumble we have here. What have I found? Here’s a partial list—and do let me know if any of these things belong to you. ;-)

• A $20 bill in an envelope. (Don’t bother trying to claim this—it’s mine, all mine.)
  
• Pictures of Mr. Retired when he was a baby. :)
  
• Software that I used on my old computer, but can’t use on my new one.
  
• My opal ring that I’ve been looking for over a year—it had fallen BEHIND the one drawer. No, I don’t know how it got stuck in the back of the drawer, I was sure a cat had snuck off with it!
  
• Post-it® notes—I have them in every color and shape.
  
• A priceless baby picture of my one cousin—he’s naked! I have plans for this picture! LOL
  
• Envelopes and matching stationary—does anyone actually handwrite notes any more?
  
• Tablets of paper that would forest a forest.
  
• Empty boxes from software I use. The install CD is in a case on the shelf, so why did I keep the empty box?
  
• A Palm Pilot that a friend gave Mr. Retired, but I can’t find the “wand” or the recharger. :-/
  
• In my desk drawer I found copies of our PG&E bills from 1997. Why did I keep those? I guess I thought they were precious.
  
• Under my desk I found dust … lots of dust. After all, how often do you move a computer desk and vacuum way back in the back?
  

I don’t know why I kept all these things, or why so many things were in such odd places—but I do know it’s gonna stop! Now all my current stuff is in the big drawer, in nice neat file folders, and all I need to do when we move is box it – shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to pack up my desk. :)

While I was “finding” all these treasures (HA!), I was reminded of these verses from 1 Peter:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:3-7

It was verse 7 that really struck home with me (emphasis mine):

that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:3-7

While I’m finding earthly treasures, God found me—definitely not a treasure—and saved me. He keeps me, and allows trials in my life that I might be found worthy when I stand before Him at the end of my life. I am so very thankful that He found me. Has He found you? If He has, have you surrendered?