"What was he wearing?"

A couple of weeks ago we went to the "Katherine Show"--rodeo/stock show, and had a bit more excitement than we were anticipating.

There were SO MANY PEOPLE at the fairgrounds, and booths of various games and rides and everything else that goes with the fair.  The line to get in was about 1 city block long.  For those of you in CO, it resembled the line at 6 pm at Casa Bonita.  Praise the Lord Cheri bought our tickets online! :)

We went to several exhibits as a family, including a horse jumping show and polo crosse game.  It was cool to see those guys in action on their horses!  The whole time we were watching the show, the kids were asking to go to the ferris wheel.  So, after a few shows, we headed over that direction.  Unfortunately, it was closed for repairs.

As we were walking away, it occurred to us that we didn't hear Cam, so we started looking around--casually at first(at a quick pace) and then the panic which every parent feels started to kick in after about 5 minutes of searching, and seeing a TON of children and adults, but no Cameron!

By God's grace, a police officer was walking past us at that very moment, and we told him what our situation was.  For some reason, when I woke up that morning, and Cam was getting dressed, I thought, "Memorize what he's wearing."  I didn't think of it again until...  I described Cameron to him, what he was wearing, etc. and he told me he would radio the other policemen in the fairgrounds to start looking for him.  In the meantime, I started walking up and down the rows of booths and looking at the hundreds of kids/adults everywhere.

As I walked I prayed, "Lord, please let me find him!  Please let him be safe.  Please watch over and protect him."  Thoughts were going through my mind, horrible 'what if's'..."Where could he be?  What if someone has kidnapped him?" and all the worse thoughts of what might happen...  My pace quickened and my prayers were as fervent as ever, looking and praying, looking and praying.

After about 15 minutes of searching, by God's grace I saw Cameron hiding behind one of the stalls, just barely out of regular view.  He was standing there crying,  poor boy.  When I reached him I said, "CAMERON MULLET!"  and scooped him up, and hugged him tight.

"I couldn't find you!" he sobbed.  Praise the Lord I found him.

Sitting back from the whole situation, I thought, "Isn't that just like us and God?"  I think it is.  When we go astray and can't seem to find Him, I believe He is actively seeking us out and will not give up until his lost son or daughter is found.  He loves people just like I love Cameron; and I know his heart shouts for joy when we turn and find him--just like my heart shouted for joy when I found my precious little boy.

Check out Luke 15. (the whole chapter!)

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  Luke 15:7