"Rejoice! I have found my ....paper."

I feel like the shepherd searching for his sheep, or more like the woman sweeping her whole house looking for her lost coin.

I had a request to re-send an article to a magazine, but the file on my computer had been lost. My heart sunk. It had been over three years since I wrote it. I could never rewrite it.

My mind flipped through all possible places a copy of it might be. Could it be on another computer? Did I send it to someone to proofread it? Would they still have it after three years? Did I print it?

Yes, I did print it! I remembered that it was in a folder in my teacher's desk. All the folders were in a box though and packed in the corner of an unused bedroom. I looked at the wall of boxes and stored furniture. Too tired, to tackle the daunting task, I turned to leave the room.

What's that? There was a bookbag on the floor near the door. There are folders in it. Could it be in there? Maybe...maybe... YES! I found it! I found it!

Why was this particular folder not in the boxes with the others? What made me put the bag there? Maybe someone else storing things in this room left it there.

God knew I would need this paper. He knew I would lose my files. He set it right where I could find it today...months...years after I packed up my school things.

Shamefully, I realized that I didn't stop to pray specifically for the Lord to help me find it. I knew my heart was crying out in frustration. But, He knew where it was. He showed me where to look. He answered my heart's cry.

I read in my regular Bible reading this morning,

Psalm 126:3
"The Lord hath done great things for us;
whereof we are glad."