Tag Archive for: lost and found

The LinkedIn Miracle

On 9th December, I embarked on a journey from Edinburgh to Salt Lake City, Utah, via JFK Airport in New York.
Whilst passing through the security area in JFK, somehow another passenger inadvertently picked up my laptop from the security belt, leaving their own behind.
What unfolded in the next hour in JFK was straight out of a Laurel & Hardy film – chaotic, disorganised, and entirely frustrating.
Consumed by a sense of helplessness, the ensuing 5-hour flight to Salt Lake City was a sombre one for me.
In my mind, I replayed the scene, dwelling on the laptop loss and the vital work it contained.
As the days passed, I grew more discouraged.

The Power of Prayer

Yet I, along with a few others, prayed fervently, asking for a miracle.
By day three, without any word, I began filling out insurance forms, resigned to the fact that my laptop (containing critical information for my book) was gone – it was a hopeless situation.
Seconds later, out of the blue, I received a LinkedIn message:
“Hi, did you lose your laptop at the airport?”
My heart leapt and I quickly responded, “Yes!”
What followed was an extraordinary exchange with a complete stranger from Spain who had mistakenly taken my laptop.
My new friend shared that 9th December had been a particularly difficult, stress-filled day.
After returning to Spain, she realised her error when she opened the laptop.
There, she found my name and photo and decided to search for me on the professional social networking site LinkedIn.
26 days later, it’s back in my own hands.
I am so thankful for my new friend, whose integrity and willingness to correct her mistake has restored my faith in humanity once more.
The experience has reminded me too of the story of the Good Samaritan.
Amid life’s uncertainties, good people often show up unexpectedly, offering kindness and generosity.
Like the Samaritan, my new friend didn’t let her difficult circumstances stop her from doing the right thing.
Her choice reminded me that the world is full of “Good Samaritans,” quietly making it better through their small yet meaningful acts of kindness.
What small acts of kindness can we perform today to brighten someone else’s path?
You never know whose prayers you might just answer…

Lost and Found

Meet Blue.
On returning home two weeks ago, our youngest daughter Cristi, moved into student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed there.
Subsequently, we have become the caretakers of her cat, Blue.
Now, I am not a cat lover.
It’s not been the easiest of adjustments for sure.
Monic has done much better than me!
Daily, Blue is in and out of the house, all day long.
However, yesterday, we were a little concerned as neither of us had seen Blue for over 24 hours.
Going to bed last night, we reckoned it was nearing 30 hours.
Now that may be common for cats, but admittedly, we were both concerned.
Arising early this morning, what do we hear at the front door, but a meowing cat, hungry, cold, in need of some attention and love.
It is now sat purring on my knee, falling asleep.

Bible Scriptures

I am reminded of the stories of the lost shared by Jesus Christ, in Luke chapter 15.
The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The Prodigal Son.
M. Russell Ballard taught “If for any reason you … have lost your way, then you need only apply the Saviour’s teachings from Luke, chapter 15, to correct your course. … Why did Jesus teach these parables? He wanted us to know that none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way again through His Atonement and His teachings.”
I know in life, many can lose their way.
Yet, every soul is of equal worth to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the worth of each soul is so great that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will go to every effort to seek out, find, and save each one—one by one.
Recently, President Russell M. Nelson said “At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts. But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to “the one” in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.”
I’m actually feeling a little joyful this morning, that Blue is home – safe and well.
Similarly, I know that as you find your way home to Jesus Christ, you’ll feel joyful too.