As I look around, it seems as though chaos abounds. It’s enough to drive an Enneagram One nuts. I thought we had packed in an organized way — kitchen things, office things, and so on. All labeled carefully so nothing would get mixed up. But try as we might, after six months of temporary living, things were shuffled, forgotten, and buried.
It’s funny the things you miss.
Since Ruby’s shoulder surgery, I’ve taken on vacuum duty. I knew I packed the power head. I distinctly remember placing it in a box so I wouldn’t forget. It was the last thing I did in the villa before we moved out. For two months I’ve searched for that missing piece — relegated to a cheap rental vacuum in the meantime. Then, just the other day, as we opened what we hoped would be the final boxes, Ruby called out, “Is this what you’ve been looking for?”
Isn’t it strange the small things that bring us joy?
As I write this, I’m keenly aware of a segment of our elderly population who suffer from some form of dementia. They search their minds for a thought, a memory, the recognition of a relative or friend. Somewhere deep inside, they know it’s there — but it cannot be found. My heart goes out to those who suffer in that way. I can’t imagine the anxiety and confusion that must accompany such loss. You know you’ve lost something… and eventually you don’t even know what it is.
Jesus spoke often of seeking and searching.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? … Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” — Luke 15:3–7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7
There is joy in the finding.
Interestingly, it was a search for a truly good cup of coffee that led me to begin roasting my own. That search turned into discovery. Discovery turned into sharing. That’s the heart behind Chaplain’s Choice Coffee — searching, finding, and sharing.
So hang with me a bit as I continue unpacking in this new location. I’m still waiting on the empowering paperwork from the State of Indiana. I’m still searching for the best way to share both coffee and story.
Stay tuned.
There is joy around the corner.
Blessings,
Jarvis