The parable of the Lost Coin is actually the second in a series of three parables.

SCENE: Jesus is surrounded by tax-gatherers and sinners. They know they are “bad,” yet they press in to hear all that Jesus has to say. Also in attendance are Pharisees and scribes, who are their typical snooty selves, questioning Jesus and his allowing Bad guys to be in his presence.

The first of the three parables Jesus tells in succession is the story of the Lost Sheep; the second is the Lost Coin, followed by the Prodigal Son.

We have a picture of that which is lost: humanity. And we have an illustration of Jesus’ attitude and activities in the midst of derelict humanity.

The sheep is lost through stupidity. The coin is lost through carelessness. The son is lost through deliberate, self-centered pride.

I don’t know about you, but I can see myself in all three parables: I’ve sinned because I’ve done something stupid, I’ve been careless of decisions I’ve made, and then I’ve even willfully known what I was about to do was wrong, wrong, wrong, yet I did it anyway.

Next posting I will tell you about a very special Lost Coin. You won’t want to miss out hearing about it! Check back within the week!

In the meantime, which parable do you most relate to?

            A sure-fire recipe for failure to make positive changes in my life is for me to make New Year’s Resolutions. Why is this so? Hmmm, if I could figure it out, then I could fix it!

            What if I changed it to New Year’s Intentions? Well, you know about the road to hell being paved with good intentions . . . not going down that road!

            But what about New Year’s Possibilities? Now that sounds doable! No pressure to succeed . . . and because it doesn't involve goals, exactly, I can't fail. Possibilities seem intriguing. Kind of like the “what if” game. I could ask myself, “Is it possible to do this, or to change that?” Then if I attempt the possibility and can’t pull it off, I won’t feel like I’ve failed. Rather, I can tell myself, “Well, that didn’t work, so what if I try this?”

            Yep, I think I’ll toss New Year’s Resolution making and go with New Year’s Possibilities. The possibilities are endless . . .