The Missing ATM card

Every weekday morning, I have the privilege of carpooling my children and others to their Auburn Adventist Academy and Buena Vista Adventist Elementary School. While it may seem like a task that consumes a lot of time, I’ve come to see it as an opportunity—a moment to spend with my children, showing love through service. When viewed this way, it’s no longer a burden but a joy, even if I do it day after day.

Yesterday, on my way back home to Tacoma, I stopped at a gas station to fuel up. I took advantage of the no-queeing time to refuel and tidy the car. As I swiped my card and began refueling, I went through my usual routine of cleaning out the trash. After I finished and got back into the car, I suddenly had a sinking feeling—I couldn’t find my card. Panic set in as I remembered an experience when I lost my card and it was used by someone else. I quickly retraced my steps, checked the ground, and realized I might have accidentally thrown it in the trash.

I rushed to the garbage bin, and thankfully, it had just been cleaned, so I could easily find the items I’d tossed in. There, among the trash, was my card.

As I reflected on this experience, it struck me how desperately I searched for that card because I knew its value. This reminded me of the value God places on each one of us. In Luke 19:10, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Just like I searched diligently for my lost card, God searches for us when we feel lost or forgotten. Our value in His eyes is not based on how much we own, how we look, or what we’ve accomplished. Our worth is grounded in Christ laying down His life for us, demonstrating His boundless love.

No matter where we are in life—whether we feel burdened, broken, or insignificant—God values us. He is constantly seeking us, eager to save and restore us. Don’t hesitate to come to Him, just as you are. He loves you and will do everything to bring you back into His arms.

Let this be a reminder that your value in God’s eyes never diminishes. Like the lost card, He will search for you; when found, there is rejoicing in heaven.

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