Searching For…

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”*

Michigan has been inundated with rain over the past week—so much rain that whole neighborhoods have been flooded. Too much water for drainage systems and not enough available pumps have caused major problems. Many streets, portions of freeways and basements  were affected,  especially after a downpour of 3-4 inches over a short period of time.

One woman  from Detroit was interviewed on the news as she vigorously mopped water out of her basement. “Every hour, on the hour,” she said. “It’s all I can do, just mop and talk to God!”

Somehow the ant community living in our yard knew that rain was coming and sent scouts into the kitchen a day or so ahead of the deluge. They scurried across the counter, blending in with the granite countertop and dark grout of the tiles. After spotting the first ones, I cleared off the counter, moving the toaster, blender and everything in that area to another spot.

Using a flashlight to see where they were entering into the house was usually a good strategy. However even though I tried doing this for several days in a row, finding their entry point was futile. Washing things down and then spraying along the window sills with ant spray provided a little relief for a day or two anyway, until they showed up again.

 Things are still at status quo with the counter top mostly bare and an occasional discovery of a couple of the persistent pests. It’s worrisome to think that they might get into the cupboards in their quest for food. Maybe when the weather changes and the ground dries up outside, they will stop invading the kitchen. Until then, I’ll keep trying to find the elusive spot.

Another major search in our home has involved putting together the puzzle of the family. It was a unique Christmas present, but difficult to assemble due to tiny pieces that were similar in shape—over 1,000 of them!

After completing more than half of the puzzle, it seemed as though a couple of  pieces had been lost. Our grandsons even came to the same conclusion after looking at every remaining piece. Nothing turned up after a search of the floor underneath the puzzle table, cushions on the chairs and even of the couch.

When it was finally finished, there were not just two but three pieces missing—two from grandson Nate’s face and one from his dad’s face as well. The only thing we could think of was that maybe TJ had discovered them on the floor. The little lab was notorious for chewing on objects around the house, like shoes, razors and… ant traps! 

We’ve all experienced this, whether searching for something that has been misplaced or lost, trying to find answers to dilemmas, solutions to problems or finding meaning in life…Sometimes we are rewarded by finding what we were searching for; at other times, the search seems futile.

How about seeking a closer relationship to God? Jesus taught His followers that God was their loving heavenly Father and that they could come to Him with every need, question or problem. Just as parents delight in responding to their children, so God would respond to those who approached Him in faith.

Wanting to know God better? To walk more closely with Him, learn from His wisdom, be aware of His presence in your life? This is something I desire as well. Am I willing to take the time to listen to and observe what He is saying to me? Or do I read a little bit, slam my Bible shut and run off to do other things? Am I able to pray without falling asleep or thinking of what is next on my “to do list”?

In Jeremiah 29: 12, God promised the people of Israel that He had plans for them, good plans, plans for hope and a future. “‘Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.”

Searching for Him? Know that He hears your prayers and will answer. He promised!

*Matthew 7:7 NIV