A Single Pink Sapphire Earring.

1 Peter 5:7 "Casting the whole of your cares, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (Amplified Version)

Faith 101, right?

Dedicating your life to Christ, your children in service to the Lord, signing papers allowing your only son to become a Marine, taking steps in re-marriage, facing a health crisis or awaiting the return of your severely injured son from Iraq. All opportunities to cast your cares upon Him.

Friday afternoon, Tampa, Florida September 2006. Since the weekend guests had not started checking-in, it was quiet at the Double Tree Suites. In fact I found myself alone pool side, praying about whether or not to follow Bill's lead and return to NJ now. At this point in Andrew's rehabilitation we were no longer needed. In fact we may have been hindering Andrew & Sara's transition to living with his quadriplegia.

Suddenly I noticed I was missing an earring. One of the pink sapphire earrings Bill gave me on my first Mother's Day 30 years ago. And then Christmas 2005, he presented me with a custom designed necklace to match. My first jewelry ensemble - other than inexpensive boxed sets.

Now, I diligently looked in all the obvious places and every not-so obvious place for the lost earring. I slowly walked the shallow end of the pool with sensitive feet, feeling for something on the bottom. Not being a good swimmer, I walked the perimeter of the deep end looking through the still water for the small earring. I retraced steps eyes peeled on the tile, checked the hotel room, checked my clothing. Nothing.

I didn't panic, although in another time and place I may have. I had just thanked the Lord for His work in Andrew's body and asked also for His guidance, so this lost earring didn't seem like such a big deal. Although I was sad about the loss.

Fast forward to Sunday. I had the pleasure of attending a church service with my new friend Crystal, a member of the hotel staff. The pastor's sermon truly helped in my latest worry - when to return to NJ. God spoke in a mighty way to me through the message. More on that another time.

While driving back to the hotel, my daughter Kelly, also staying at the hotel, called on my cell to say she was at the pool. There were more people compared to Friday but one gentleman swimming with his granddaughter looked at Kelly - out of all the folks poolside - and asked if she had lost an earring.

Kelly quickly responded, "My mom did! A pink sapphire one!"

And, there in that little child's hand was my lost earring.

In my searching on Friday I don't remember praying specifically for the earring. But I had "once and for all cast my cares" on Him. And once again God proved His "watchful" care of me. His watchful eye saw even to the bottom of that swimming pool.

I wear those earrings and necklace almost daily now. Pink after all "is the new black" or was last year in the fashion world. I reach for them often to make sure they are there. To be honest Bill had them refitted with screw backs upon my return to NJ. But each and every time I feel them securely there I remember my security in my heavenly Father's love, faithfulness and care for the huge things and the small.

Even as small as a single pink-sapphire earring.