All Might Not Be Lost

Sometimes what feels lost isn’t gone—it’s just misplaced, waiting for the right moment to be found again.

It’s been years now—five, maybe more—since the night I left my purse behind at a restaurant. The instant I realized it, that familiar jolt of terror hit: the loss of identity, of access, of control. Luckily, it was still there when I raced back. But I’ll never forget the feeling of my whole sense of self briefly vanishing with a forgotten handbag.

Some time later, Jeff—my “devil dog” Marine—lost his wallet. We searched for days. Every car, every drawer, every parking lot. Nothing. In that wallet was a Marine Corps ID photo I loved—his face full of purpose and pride from a time when he was living his dream. Losing that image felt like losing a piece of history.

Eventually, we accepted it as gone. Reality demanded it. We took the next right step: replace what could be replaced, release what couldn’t.

Years passed. We remodeled the house, purged what no longer fit our lives. Twenty yards of stuff—physical and emotional—hauled away. It felt good. Clean. Honest.

Then, just last week, Jeff was in the garage, brewing beer and checking his old meat-grinding equipment—tools we’d used countless times since the remodel. He came inside, eyes wide, holding something brown and familiar.

The wallet.

Intact. Cards, ID, photo—all exactly as they were.

And here’s the mystery: it was inside a piece of equipment stored in a closet we’d opened, moved, and used many times since. Impossible, yet true.

It was like finding a time capsule—one that reminded me of something deeper: not everything that feels lost is truly gone. Sometimes life hides things from us until we’re ready to find them again.

The Authentic Integrity Compass

• Clarity:
  What I thought was lost was only hidden. Life has a way of tucking truth away until we’re clear enough to see it.

• Courage:
  Letting go of the search was an act of courage—accepting what is, without needing to control or understand it.

•  Compassion:
  When we misplace something meaningful—a dream, a relationship, a piece of ourselves—compassion helps us stay open to its return.

• Consistency:
  Our practices—faith, reflection, patience—keep us steady so we don’t lose ourselves in the waiting.

• Choice:

•   Evolution Spiral:
   The rediscovery reminded me that what’s “lost” often evolves. Sometimes life hides gifts so they can mature unseen before they reappear.

•  Erosion Spiral:
   If I’d clung to bitterness or self-blame, I might’ve missed the miracle entirely. Attachment erodes faith; surrender restores it.

Reflection Questions

1. What have you convinced yourself is lost that might only be misplaced?

2. How do you handle uncertainty when something meaningful disappears?

3. What practices help you trust that what’s meant for you will return in its time?

Invitation

If you’re in a season of loss—of direction, purpose, or faith—remember: clarity often comes after surrender. Explore how to find what feels misplaced in your life.

Listen on the Reflections & Redirections Podcast for access to self-coaching tools and support.