StoryWorks

Last weekend I went to my neighborhood Best Buy to purchase a new digital camera for use on some upcoming trips. I spent more than I wanted to, but all the consumer guides pointed me to this purchase. I rationalized it as we do with many big purchases.

Well I used the camera -- which I loved -- for an entire week before I lost it. Or before it was stolen. (I'm not sure which.)

I spent several hours yesterday searching my car, my apartment and retracing my steps all over DC where I remember taking photos. But nothing.

I think it's likely that the camera either fell out of my bag or was pickpocketed out of my bag or I misplaced it.

But it's gone and I'm just sick over it. (I'm just not the type to lose things.)

This morning I thought about the parable of the Lost Coin and how Jesus told that story to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. As I was searching on the Net for commentary about the parable, I came across the video.

I think this pastor hit a very important point when he asked his congregation, "Do the people who come here matter? More than those who aren't here yet?"

Years ago when I was a teenager, each Sunday night, our youth director asked us to name out who was missing from our youth group meetings. I loved that because it prompted us to think of folks who maybe we needed to do a better job of including. It also was an instant community builder. If you knew why the people missing were missing, you were more likely to pray for them and reach out to them afterwards to see if you could help.

I wish more churches understood how important this is. In a busy, over-scheduled society, churches offer us grounding and people who hold us accountable.

But first, the nine people who are there every Sunday need to check in on the one who's not.

As for the lost camera, whoever finds it will have to charge the battery in the camera to see the photos I took. (Interestingly, they were mostly picture of people from my church.)

Maybe that will prompt the camera to be dropped off at the church's office.