Lost in the Pacific Undersea Gardens
The Pacific Undersea Gardens
The Pacific Undersea Gardens, surrounded by yachts, sailing boats and water
taxis in the center of Victoria's Inner Harbour, is an interactive marine animal
display that is not only beautiful, but also very unique.
We had just finished watching a scuba diver interact with an eel, an octopus,
and other fascinating creatures of the sea, and we had gone on to explore the
many aquariums in the belly of that ship museum, when I suddenly realized that
my camera bag was missing.
"Oh no!" I moaned. "The memory sticks for all of our digital pictures are in there!" As
my family and I quickly retraced our steps to the auditorium, I could already
imagine the loss of all those precious souvenirs.
As we arrived at the entrance, my wife bent down over a small child. The little
girl was in tears because she had lost something far more valuable than
cherished memories! She had no idea where her mother was, and this outstanding
museum had suddenly become a nightmare to her. My wife quickly scanned the main
museum, but finding it mostly empty, she ushered the girl into the auditorium.
"Is anyone missing a child?" she called out. Both she and the little girl were
relieved when a lady on the front row suddenly looked around and then jumped to
her feet. Just as quickly, the little girl ran forward to embrace the woman. She
was still crying, but now they were tears of joy. She was back where she
belonged!
I had tears in my own eyes as we left the auditorium. But then I suddenly turned
back. I had forgotten what we had originally gone back to the auditorium to
retrieve! And there was my camera bag, safely stowed at the feet of some
Christian tourists. "We figured you would come back to get this," said the man
with a smile, holding out my camera bag.
We are so often allured by the distractions of life, yet these are so
meaningless when compared to eternity! Many of these lure us off of the straight
and narrow road, and before we realize it, we find ourselves lost in a labyrinth
of confusion and addiction. Like the lost little girl, we find ourselves with
the urge to cry out: "I want my Daddy!" We don't, though. Instead we usually
hang our heads in shame, convinced that we can never be forgiven. When we allow
our minds to be again flooded by memories, we realize that our Daddy is much
bigger than the circumstances which so mercilessly swallow us, and when we do,
we find that our Heavenly Daddy is patiently awaiting our return. At the sound
of the tiniest call, He rushes to our rescue and wraps us up in His loving arms.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed
him." (Luke 15:20 NIV)
"Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep." (Luke 15:6 NIV)
Home at last! There is no better place!
Rob Chaffart