Today's daily devotion

Missing Pieces

How can you think of saying to your friend, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?”—MATTHEW 7:4 (NLT)

When Mom started losing everything from letters to gift cards, I remained patient. I figured when I’m 92, I might do worse, especially if I have dementia like Mom does. At least her apartment was small, and I could usually find the missing items under the bed or couch cushions.

But all my kind, gracious thoughts vanished when her expensive hearing aids disappeared. We looked for them for weeks with no success.

“How can anyone not keep track of something so important?” I grumbled to my husband. Without the funds to buy new hearing aids, we had to raise our voices three notches to talk with Mom. Every conversation exhausted us.

I needed a break. An upcoming weekend retreat would be the perfect escape. At breakfast on Saturday, one of the ladies drew my name for prayer and wrote me a letter brimming with encouragement and hope. But when I returned home and unpacked, the letter was missing. I searched my suitcase, purse and bookbag. “How can anyone not keep track…?” I began.