Lost and Found!

     Well, it has been a week since my last Lenten post.  I have a very good excuse though and it fits perfectly into my blog post for the day.  Let me explain by first blaming my sister!  You see, she introduced me to a TV show last week called Downton Abbey.  She told me that I had to watch it and that I would love it.  It was already in season three, so in order to catch up, I had to watch three full seasons.  After watching episode one, I was hooked!  19 episodes later, I have finally stopped to write a blog!  I have wasted my entire week watching episode after episode.  Laundry?  Nope.....episode 5 to watch!  Dinner?  Nope.  Episode 8 is waiting!  Write my blog?  Nope.  Season two is starting!  I am addicted!!  But, what has happened in the meantime is my Lenten journey has stopped.  I was doing so well.  I was focused.  I was spending more time in prayer, I was reading more spiritual books, I was working on my Lenten blogs......then all of a sudden....in the midst of my 40 days in the desert, my temptation came in the form of a TV show. (and my sister!!)  I became lost in the world of Lords and Ladies on the English frontier!!
     So, how does this relate to this Sunday's gospel?  This week, we read about the Prodigal Son.  The son who asked his father for his inheritance, left home and squandered away every penny of it.  The son who realized his mistake and went home begging to be forgiven.  The son who was lost, but then was found.  That son......is me too.  I was lost......lost in  a show that got in the way of my 40 day journey.  But today, I return to the Lord asking to be forgiven and hoping that the rest of my Lenten journey can be successful.  I was lost, but now I am found.
     The Prodigal Son is also like all of us.  We allow things to take our focus off of God.  We get distracted.  We get lost.  We all have our "Downton Abbey" distractions....what is yours?  What is getting in your way of putting God first this Lenten season?  Whatever it is, return home.  Just like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son was waiting for his son's return, God is waiting for our return.  His arms are open and He can't wait for our focus to be on Him again.  He forgives us for getting distracted, and He welcomes us home once again.  He always will. 

     So, are you lost, but ready to be found?  I was, but it feels good to be back!!