Lost.
At 16 that’s how I felt most of the time. But now I was lost for real, wandering the streets of Barcelona, Spain, on a supposed vacation. Nothing looked familiar.
When my parents first suggested I spend a summer with my older sister who’d been studying here, I didn’t want to go. I wanted to hang out with my friends back home. But those friends and I had been getting into a lot of trouble. My parents wanted me away from them.
My sister was glad to see me. I realized my whole family worried. “Do me a favor,” she said. “Read this book.” She handed me a copy of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis. I thumbed through it, but I couldn’t imagine how Jesus’ life and teachings could help me find some direction in my life. I can’t even find my way back to the apartment!
And then I had a funny thought. What would Jesus do in my situation? Surely he would ask God for direction! Why not? God, I asked, if you are real show me the way.
I tried again to retrace my steps back to the apartment, looking up and down the street for a familiar sign or shop. At the next intersection, something caught my eye. A beautiful white feather lay in my path. I picked it up and suddenly realized where I was. Minutes later I was at the apartment door.
Faith had led me home, and I knew I’d never be “lost” again.
