Homesick…

My parents divorced when I was young. I came to Florida each year to see my dad – my only time with him. Torn between two homes.

I used to love airports, the smell of jet fuel and the hustle bustle. Then I had babies and with each passing year I really just liked the view of my children in the front yard best. We assign a place as ‘home’ – sometimes an actual structure, or maybe a town or country. The account of the birth of Jesus starts off by the government requiring people to travel to wherever their ancestral heritage began and register as a citizen. “And everyone went to his own town to register.” (Luke 2:3 NIV)

When I became an adult my mother moved a number of times. But wherever she was, when I walked through the door, that was home. It was her that made it home, not the place.

Yet even if we are blessed with an earthly home that draws us, it never quite fills our longing. We’re homesick like a child away at camp. And in so many ways, we are all homeless. Nothing really satisfies: remodeling, cozier blankets, minimalizing. We keep looking for ideas.

Jesus says “no one who has left home…for the sake of the kingdom will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30 NIV) Perhaps He’s trying to help us see that if we change our concept of ‘home’ from tangible here on earth to forever in Him, we’ll realize we’ve got everything – now and forever.

Holley Gerth said in a devotion: “home is not a place; home is a Person. And He is with us always. His love is the place we can stay wherever we go.”

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NLT) All of Psalm 91 speaks of Him being our refuge, our fortress, our dwelling, our rescue, our salvation. And there it is – Salvation is home, and Salvation is a person. Salvation is Jesus and when we rest our head on the pillow of His protection, we are home.

Homesick? Come Home – your Rest is Jesus, wherever you are.

 

15 Comments on “Homesick…

    • What a homecoming we will have – those arms that embrace us and welcome us to forever will be the best – blessings as you find home here in Him and as you celebrate someday with Jesus!

      Liked by 1 person

  1. Hi, Paris – I’ve come to visit your post from “Let’s Have Coffee” link-up party. And your post is very incredible. Your story reminds me of being young girl when my parents divorced. Since I was 5 years old child, I never have seen my father. My mother raised me as long as I grew up. Now, I am an adult and I owe my mother back and visit her often because she helped raise me so long time. I keep reminding my mother that she is not alone, the Lord is always here for her. Thank you for sharing 🙂

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  2. Beautiful, Paris. I love Psalm 91 and like the idea of home being a person. Jesus. My parents divorced when I was young too. With all our moves over the years, it often felt as if I had no place to call home. This is a powerful analogy!

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    • Sometimes the hard things of life are what make us find what we’re really longing for – so glad your home is in Him – Merry Christmas!

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  3. I love this reminder, Paris. We can always find our home in Jesus, no matter where life finds us. Thanks for linking up with the Grace and Truth Link-Up this week.

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  4. Such comforting truth -Jesus is our home. No matter where we go He is always with us and He is home. Blessings to you! I’m a neighbor at #Grace&Truth.

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