“Abandoned”

Have you ever been “abandoned?” It really means “left behind” or forgotten about. Sometimes, we have read that a baby was found “abandoned” in a garbage can. People abandon puppies or dogs they don’t want. But being “abandoned” can mean many other things, too. A husband leaves his faithful wife after many years for a younger woman. His “wife” feels abandoned. Or a father leaves his family and never comes back…the children always feel “abandoned.” It’s like “the ship takes off without you and leaves you stranded on a deserted island.” Abandoned. I think it is one of the worst feelings in the world…you could say, “left behind.”

Many years ago, when our children were small, ages three and four, we went to preach at a church in Orlando by a big lake. We had an old car and in the back, up behind the back seat, was a flat area. Our son, Jonathan, always crawled up there and would fall asleep while we were driving (that was before the seat-belt law). That day, we came out of the church and were talking to some people. When we went to the car, Julie was asleep in the back seat. We got into the car thinking Jonathan was asleep “on the top.”

We drove to Kentucky Fried Chicken, and when we opened the door a wave of panic went through our hearts. Where was our son?  We had “left him behind!” We drove back to the church so fast, fearing that he had drowned in the lake, but finally, we found him “wandering around by the lake!” It was a horrible feeling for us, but even worse for him. He said, “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Jesus said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee…” (Heb. 13:5) But what it really means is, “I will never abandon you!” No matter what you are going through today, Jesus will never, never abandon you! Today will be a great day!

Sherry