Being reminded that we are human can be difficult.

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We try our best to be put together and able to make it through our days without a sitch. But sometimes, life does not go that way - often more so than not. And often, God uses these moments to grow us.

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At my last job I was assigned a key to open and close the building, as well as access other rooms as needed. I kept it on its own retractable lanyard so it was distinct and easily accessible at work. As one does, I occasionally misplaced it but would find it a day later – in a spot I had told myself I would remember – yet did not. Being human at its finest.

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My fate was sealed when my retractable lanyard for this key broke. So in a moment of quick thinking, I temporarily snapped it onto a carabiner until I could get a new one. But after a few days with the temporary lanyard, I put it down and forgot where I placed it. I didn't have time that night to search for it, but I knew it was in my home, so no stress. After returning from a three day trip, though, reality set in – where was my work key? 

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So the search began. My room and home were deep cleaned, and every pocket was searched. Family was brought in to assist in the search, and local stores were called in for lost and found inquiries. Despite the ongoing search, a keycount was conducted at work, and reality continued to set in. I could not find my key, and I would potentially have to pay the required fee – $2.5k is a lot of money! 

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Throughout my search, I remained hopeful that the key was simply where I commonly placed it – in an obvious location with continued oversight. But as time passed, this wishful thinking began to dwindle the more I prayed, both with hope, as well as in the greatest impersonation of David I could muster. David from the Bible stands out to me in how he spoke with God. David was so open with God in verse, arguing with God like a close friend. But despite my wrestling with God about the current events, the key remained lost. 

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As the final days at my job were drawing near, I knew that, despite my efforts, it was best to acknowledge my current human state and do what was right. Romans 5:3-4 says, “But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God was inviting me to trust him through this experience – to not fret on what was ahead, truly trusting in my Savior and Shepherd.

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I found myself filled with a sense of dread, worry, and yet, a mild acceptance. Despite clearly not finding it, my brain nagged and refused to grasp that it was actually gone. Although on a meager silver carabiner with a bread bag tag attached, I just couldn’t quite believe that it was truly nowhere to be found. The next day, as I drove into work, I conversed with God, asking him to be with me, for I had made the decision to accept my fate and inform my manager, accepting whatever he decided – to wave the loss or make me pay the hefty fine.

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Later that morning, shortly after the conversation with my manager, he went with me to open the safe room since, obviously, I had no key. He stood outside the room as I grabbed the cash register bags and went for a drawer key. As I did, my eye was inexplicably drawn to the main interior of our key cabinet, where, as clear as day, right in the middle, was a single key on a silver carabiner with a white bread bag tag. After two weeks of continued searching and conversations, God had answered my prayers, showing me his kindness and grace.

Through this he reminded me that “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3). How has God shown his continued grace to you? How has he reminded you that he is forgiving and is always there for you? Where has he reminded you that your questions and conversations with him are valued and not a waste of time? Continue to pray and speak with him, both in the calm and the stressful moments as you go forth into this new week. He created the path you tread upon, so do not fear to ask and implore him for directions.