As I settled into bed, I felt a sense of peace.

Jonathan was curled up watching Netflix.

Daniel reclined in his chair playing Madden on his Xbox.

My husband had already dozed off beside me.

There is no better feeling than this.

Joy.

Everyone was home.

It’s just not the same when one of them is missing.

Just knowing they are all in my presence is everything.

Our heavenly Father feels the same way about us.

His ultimate goal is to have all of His children in His presence.

And when we leave this place, He wants us all to come home.

That is why even if one of us is missing, it is just not the same.

Even if ninety nine are present, He still pursues the one.

“Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  Luke 15: 3-7 NIV

Don’t miss this, friends.

Our Creator rejoices when one of His lost sheep comes home.

“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.”

Joy.

That is what our heavenly Father feels when all of His children are together.

You.

Me.

The ninety-nine.

And the one.