The Pacific Undersea Gardens, surrounded by yachts, sailing boats and water taxis in the center of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, is an interactive marine animal display that is not only beautiful, but also very unique.

We had just finished watching a scuba diver interact with an eel, an octopus, and other fascinating creatures of the sea, and we had gone on to explore the many aquariums in the belly of that ship museum, when I suddenly realized that my camera bag was missing.

“Oh no!” I moaned. “The memory sticks for all of our digital pictures are in there!” As my family and I quickly retraced our steps to the auditorium, I could already imagine the loss of all those precious souvenirs.

As we arrived at the entrance, my wife bent down over a small child. The little girl was in tears because she had lost something far more valuable than cherished memories! She had no idea where her mother was, and this outstanding museum had suddenly become a nightmare to her. My wife quickly scanned the main museum, but finding it mostly empty, she ushered the girl into the auditorium. “Is anyone missing a child?” she called out. Both she and the little girl were relieved when a lady on the front row suddenly looked around and then jumped to her feet. Just as quickly, the little girl ran forward to embrace the woman. She was still crying, but now they were tears of joy. She was back where she belonged!

I had tears in my own eyes as we left the auditorium. But then I suddenly turned back. I had forgotten what we had originally gone back to the auditorium to retrieve! And there was my camera bag, safely stowed at the feet of some Christian tourists. “We figured you would come back to get this,” said the man with a smile, holding out my camera bag.

We are so often allured by the distractions of life, yet these are so meaningless when compared to eternity! Many of these lure us off of the straight and narrow road, and before we realize it, we find ourselves lost in a labyrinth of confusion and addiction. Like the lost little girl, we find ourselves with the urge to cry out: “I want my Daddy!” We don’t, though. Instead we usually hang our heads in shame, convinced that we can never be forgiven. When we allow our minds to be again flooded by memories, we realize that our Daddy is much bigger than the circumstances which so mercilessly swallow us, and when we do, we find that our Heavenly Daddy is patiently awaiting our return. At the sound of the tiniest call, He rushes to our rescue and wraps us up in His loving arms.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NIV)

“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” (Luke 15:6 NIV)

Home at last! There is no better place!

Rob Chaffart