READ: LUKE 15:1-3, 8-10; 19:10

Cadlyn’s hand froze as she reached up to push her hair back, hovering over the empty space where the coin should have been. Her heartbeat quickened, and her fingers fumbled in her haste to pull the headdress off. Elegant silk and silver coins shone up at her. Cadlyn’s heart sank. It was as she had feared: a coin was missing. Nine silver coins like full moons embroidered into the headpiece, and one empty circle of thread.

How could it have fallen out? What will I tell Jorar? she silently cried. She’d been married barely a month; the headdress had been his wedding gift, and Cadlyn treasured it dearly.

Surely it was around here somewhere. Determined, Cadlyn set her headdress on a chair and took a match, lighting a candle. The coin had to have come loose while she was working, and she was going to find it. She snatched up the broom in the corner and set to work. There were nooks and crannies everywhere, and she wasn’t going to stop until she found her coin. A first sweep around the room proved futile, as did the second.

“I’ll find the coin if it takes me all day,” she murmured to herself. And she swept again. When that too failed, she realized what she needed to do. The cobblestone floor looked daunting as Cadlyn knelt. Stone after stone riddled with cracks that a coin could slip into.

Fingers over cobblestone, second after second, minute after minute, hour after hour. The sun was beginning to color the sky pink as Cadlyn’s raw, aching fingers brushed over a round shape wedged between two stones. Her heart leaped as she pulled out the coin.

Cadlyn let out a breath of relief, rejoicing that she had found the lost coin. Just like Elohim rejoices when a lost sinner is found, she mused. Thank You for Your love, my King.

The door gave a creak, and Cadlyn rose to her feet. Jarar was home. “Come celebrate, my love!” she called. “My lost coin has been found!” • Macy Walts

• This allegorical story is based on a parable Jesus told in Luke 15. Consider taking some time to read this passage slowly. How is today’s story similar to the parable? How is it different?

• Jesus searches for us, and He doesn’t ever give up. He went through the terrible pain of the cross because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. How does it make you feel to know that God searches for you—and rejoices over you when you receive Christ?

[Jesus said,] “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NIV)