*Disclaimer* This is a long one, you may like reading it better on Substack HERE

Hey Reader,

I’m starting to think I need to go back to sending blogs on Mondays because waking up and writing on a Saturday morning is such a treat for me. When I first started writing, that was my routine. There’s something about the stillness of the morning that makes writing just easier and effortless. I’ll think about what day I want to send these and let you know where I land.

One of the reasons I love morning writing is that it can be distraction-free. I don’t know about you, but as soon as my mind starts going, it is easy to become distracted. And I’m not just talking about your normal distractions. I’m talking about the kind of news that leaves you physically or mentally exhausted and saying, “I just need a quick little nap.” It can be draining, to say the least.

While I believe in a good power nap, something happened to me last week that reminded me to stay focused on my path. And it’s not some big ordeal…

I lost my AirPods.

(Now, I understand the privilege in the line above. There are literally people fighting for their lives, and I’m worried about some doggone AirPods. I promise, I’ll land this plane by the end of this email.)

Now, losing AirPods isn’t the end of the world. I have corded headphones, over-the-ear headphones, a speakerphone, and could always take it back and hold the receiver up to my ear. It was just an inconvenience, causing minor disruptions to my workouts, walks, and more.

About two weeks into being AirPod-less, I concluded that I’d have to buy new ones, which I didn’t want to do. I got up that morning and realized I had never prayed about this inconvenience. I felt dumb for even considering a prayer, but I was reminded that God cares about the big and the little things. So I let out a sigh and quickly prayed:

“God, I hate even asking You this because there’s A LOT more I could be doing. But, can You show me where these AirPods are?”

Before I left to buy another pair, I started retracing my steps for the umpteenth time.

“Okay,” I thought, “I had them when I came back from my work trip.” My Dad picked me up from the airport that night. I had already asked him to search his car, but I called him again to ask if he could search one more time.

Me: Hey, Pops, I’m about to run to the store and get some AirPods. Can you check your car again before I do?

My Dad: Yeah, but I already looked. I’ll slide the seat back this time.

They weren’t in the car.

My Dad: Don’t you have a Find My AirPod thingy on your phone?

Me: I checked that last week, but didn’t see it. Let me check again.

I was totally looking in the wrong section of my phone the first time and saw them this time.

Me: Oh, wait, I see them! It says they’re…here…? I’ve looked all over for these things.

My Dad: Okay, look again.

[Proceeds to check the couch cushions, my purse, and my desk once more while my Dad suggests other places for me to check]

My Dad: Check under your bed. Check behind the bed.

Me: Wait…it says I’m a few feet away…?

My Dad: Wait, that thing has a map?!

Me: Yes, [Walks into another room, closer to the alleged location]. I’m right on the dot, but I don’t see them…it says I’m right here.

I look around and see where I normally charge them, but don’t see them. That is, until I realize I don’t see the end of the cord. It had gotten pushed under the couch. I gently tug the cord all the way out, and what do I see? My AirPods. Charging. Where they’ve been for two weeks!

Me: I literally looked here last night, but didn’t see them! There’s a Word in there for somebody [excitedly connects my AirPods]. Can you hear me?

My Dad: Yeah, I can hear you. And I got the Word: FOLLOW THE MAP!

Reader, although my AirPods were in my house the whole time, I was looking in the wrong place or standing in the wrong room. They were right here, but it wasn’t until I followed the map that I found them.

Now, here's where we land the plane...

Sometimes it can feel like the thing we want in life is so far out of our reach. Maybe your “AirPods” are something emotional like peace, joy, or love. Perhaps it’s something tangible like a thriving business, a place to stay, a job, or even good health.

I don’t know what it is for you, nor do I need to.

What I choose to believe (and I hope you do too) is that there is nothing that you can’t find again. Even if you’ve had it once before and feel like you’ve lost it and will never get it back, believe that restoration is possible for you. It may not look like you thought it would, but it can happen.

Will we always have a “Find my _____” tracker? No, but I wish it were that easy! However, can we slow down, express how we actually feel when asking for guidance, and then have someone to help us while we look…yes.

There are clues along this life that point you in the direction of your purpose. Follow the map, my friend. Who knows, you may already be in the house, and the room you need to walk into is just a few feet away.

Always speak life,

Vannesia

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