Normally, we get a rain the week of the local county fair. We didn’t get that in Saline County, at least not enough to really get things wet. I saw the fair people rolling down the interstate going to the next town. Maybe setting up in the next town will generate a rain for us all. Since I was a kid, it seems like it always rains the week of the county fair. October 16-25, we will have the State Fair at Little Rock. Maybe it will rain really good that week and help catch the whole state up on rainfall. We need it! Speaking of the State Fair, anytime I think or hear of it, I always remember the time I got lost at the State Fair as a kid. It was a frightening event. Back in those days, the grounds were crowded, like shoulder-to-shoulder. I don’t know how old I was; what I do remember is looking up at everybody and not being able to see beyond the people crowded around me. Somehow, in such a dense crowd, I became separated and out of sight of my parents and siblings. I remember going by that large cylinder in which they would ride loud motorcycles around and around. I remember how I was first very anxious, not seeing my family. Then, I remember getting more frantic as time went on. I remember walking around, looking with desperation into the faces of the people around me, overwhelmed by all the people, but none were family. My thoughts were, “There are so many people! How can I ever find them in so many people?” Tears began welling up with the anxiety. “What was I going to do?” Finally, in the distance I saw my brother, Richard. “That’s him! What if I lose sight of him in all the people!” I shouted. I ran to him. He saw me. What joy! What joy! “He sees me! Here he is!” I made sure from that point on, that I stayed right there with family in sight. Being lost is not a good feeling. It can be described as a sinking hopelessness. Being lost left an indelible impression on this kid. It causes me to realize that the salvation and hope we have in the Lord Jesus Christ is a priceless gift and grace. Because of what He has done for us on the cross, and in His resurrection, we can be confident of His love and power to save and deliver us in every way. We can indeed trust Him to take us through this fair life, hand-in-hand, and together see all the sights, and safely walk with Him to the warmth of home. This is not an empty religion that depends on my efforts or performance. This is a walk with the loving Lord and Savior, who shares His life and power with me to have the best in life. He holds my hand, and I just keep my eyes on Him.
Lost at the State Fair
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