Steve Sikes Blog
Steve Sikes Blog
There is a game I have not played in years called “Hide and Seek” – but I remember playing it when I was younger. I remember the anticipation of almost being found; I was sure the person looking for me could hear my heart beating out of my chest and /or hear my deafening breathing. But then there were times I wanted to be found! As a young parent, I connected with my small children when we would play this game and I would hear my youngest daughter say, “I’m over here, Daddy! Come find me!”
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Last night at Lee Smith’s funeral viewing, I had a déjà vu “Hide and Seek” moment. Lee Smith’s granddaughter, Ashley, showed me a card she had written to her “Poppy” and placed in his hand in the casket. She opened up the card and let me see her future wedding picture and then allowed me the honor of reading what she had written to Lee. “I’ve been somewhere looking for you today” were words that jumped out at me.
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Ever since Ashley was little, these were precious words her grandpa would say to her – in person, over the phone, on a card – and that she in return would say back: “I’ve been looking somewhere for you today.”
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These words reminded me of two things: 1) My memories of playing Hide and Seek with my friends growing up, and my little children; and 2) God’s words of comfort through His prophet Jeremiah to a people heading for 70 years of captivity: “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD,’ plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD,’ and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD,’ and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14
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We all need a future and a hope…especially when we realize calamity is coming or we are already in the middle of it!
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HOPE: Praying to the Lord, knowing He is listening!
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HOPE: Seeking the Lord, and finding Him!
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HOPE: Being restored and gathered; NOW THAT’S SOME FUTURE!
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GIGATTAATTGIG!!!!!