Memory Verse: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9
Gerald and Ringo were quite a pair. Gerald was three years old, and Ringo was his pet dog... actually, he was more like a big puppy. These two buddies spent lots of time playing together. They were always ready for new games, new adventures.
One day last October, Mother decided that it was time to dig the potatoes from the garden. The colorful, falling leaves and the crisp, cool air told that snowfall was not far off.
Like many other families who live at the edge of town, Gerald and Ringo had a big yard to play in. There was also a big garden. This year, since he was three, Gerald had been able to help a little. When Mother told him that they were going to dig potatoes after lunch, he thought that would be fun.
After a bowl of homemade soup, Mother and Gerald put on their jackets, found the shovel and buckets in the garage, and headed for the potato patch.
Little boys and frisky dogs make a good team, and Mother got lots of potatoes dug. Gerald was busy for a while, picking up the potatoes as mother dug them. One at a time he placed them in the bucket. It was fun for a while, but Gerald soon got tired. He decided that there were more interesting things that he and Ringo could do.
One of the potatoes soon became a ball, and since Ringo was a good retriever, they played happily for quite a while. The happy yells and barks were pleasant sounds to Mother while she worked on. There were lots of potatoes, and soon the buckets were full. Still she dug, and the potato pile grew larger.
Mother was so busy digging that she did not notice that Gerald and Ringo no longer were playing ball and had wandered away. When she did miss them they were nowhere in sight. “Where have they gone,” she wondered out loud. “Gerald, Gerald, where are you?” she called. “Come home right now, if you can hear me.”
She listened, but there was no answer. Now she began to worry. Where could they have gone—in the house? down to the creek? into the woods?
The potato harvest was no longer important. Where was Gerald? His worried mother wanted to go three different directions at the same time. The house was checked, but he was not there. The name “Gerald” rang through the air louder with each call. She hurried down to the creek, but found no sign of them. They must have gone into the woods, thought Mother. The thought of them in that large, dark woods frightened her. The woods were big, but they had always been a friend to the family with the birds, chipmunks and the occasional bear and moose. But now, the thought of her little boy in there frightened her.
She went to the edge of the woods and called for Gerald as loudly as she could. There was no reply, except for the echo of her own voice. With a sinking feeling she ran back to the house and called the police for help. Soon there was a large group of friends, neighbors and relatives to help the police in the search.
The search began quickly, because it was now late afternoon. Darkness would come early to this eastern Canadian town. Although the search involved many people, the woods were large, and Gerald was not found. A misty rain with spits of snow began to fall as night brought cold and gloom to the woods. Many more people joined in the search, using lanterns and lights. They searched on through the night, never stopping to rest or sleep.
Meanwhile, deep in the woods a cold, tired Gerald sat down to rest. It had all started as a game he was playing with Ringo. “Let’s go catch a bear,” he had said to his puppy. Trying to keep up with Ringo had taken them deep into the woods, and now it was dark. Oh, how cold and hungry he was.
Doesn’t this remind you of a sinner trying to find his own way to heaven without God’s help. He thinks that if he does as many good things as he can, and goes to Sunday school or church, these will help him earn a place in heaven. Since these ideas do not agree with what God’s Word, the Bible, tells us, they are wrong.
What these people need to understand is that they are “lost” in their sins. No one can enter heaven until all their sins are gone out of God’s sight. They need to be “saved” from their sins, and nothing they can do is going to help save them. When they realize this, they will turn to the only One who can help them. Who is this? It is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who came into this world right to where sinners are. He says in the Bible, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He died on the cross and shed His blood to wash away sins. Yes, He has already done everything that is needed for you to be saved from your sins. If you will believe Him and accept Him, then you can be sure He died for your sins.
Gerald wrapped his arms around Ringo and tried to keep warm. It was a long, cold night, and Gerald cried himself to sleep.
When morning came the town of Mt. Moriah was full of cars and people. The word had spread, and now many more had come to join the search.
Through the morning the search continued. Then... good news! The CB radio of one of the search teams announced, “We’ve found him, and he’s alive!”
Quickly, Gerald was wrapped in blankets and he and Ringo were carried back to the ambulance which took him to the hospital. Oh, how happy everyone was, but especially his parents. They rode in the ambulance with him, so happy and relieved that their son was found, and hoping he would be okay.
At the hospital they found Gerald’s body temperature had dropped dangerously low. If it had not been for Ringo’s warmth, or if he had been lost just a few hours longer, it probably would have been too late. But he was found in time.
It’s not too late for you. The Lord Jesus is still looking for you. He is coming very soon to take to heaven all who have accepted Him as their Saviour. We plead with you not to wait any longer. Accept Him as your Saviour before it is too late.
“When he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:5-7.
ML-06/19/1983