Friday, September 18, 2015

Homecoming


John 14:2
My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

My brother, Bill, arrives at our mother's house to relieve me from my post for a couple of days.  The rest is much needed and welcomed, and Mom is so happy to have her son with her, as well as her grandson, Daniel, who is now a full-time student and a dependable companion when he's not in class.  I can depart knowing my mother is in good hands.

Because I cannot handle expressways, the journey home from Oxford to Kennesaw, Georgia, is a long one along the back roads and byways.  Pleasant through the rural settings, stop and go with the traffic lights as I pass through several small towns along the way, but as eager as I am to get home, I only allow myself one pit stop in my two-hour-forty-five-minute trip.

I can't wait to see my husband, Danny, and my stepson, Giovanni, and to sleep for a few brief nights in my own familiar bed.  When I arrive at the last light before turning toward our neighborhood, I am surprised by the tears of relief welling in my eyes.  Almost home!  Almost home!  I will my car to soar speedily on angels' wings, yet I realize as I traverse the last leg through the neighborhood, I am cherishing each and every house, yard, tree, and stop sign as if I'm seeing them for the first time.  How I've missed what I've too often taken for granted!

And when I enter our house, I can't believe my eyes.  Everything is spic and span!  Danny and Giovanni have knocked their socks off cleaning floors, counter tops and bathrooms; the laundry is done, and there are fresh sheets on the newly made beds.  If that weren't enough, this beautiful bouquet greets me with a sunny welcome.




Danny and Giovanni have done everything possible to make my homecoming the perfect one.

And I envision, after my long and sometimes arduous journey in this life, another homecoming.  The one in the place the Lord has lovingly prepared for me.

My warm, welcoming and perfect eternal home . . .


~

Have you ever had to be away from your home for a long period of time?  How did you feel when you returned?

Prayer:  We thank You, Father, for preparing a special place for each and every one of us when we go to spend eternity with You.  Thank You for Your endless grace, love and mercy shown to us at all times and in all places.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Because I have returned to Mom's house to help out, there won't be a post this Tuesday.  Hoping to see you all again next Friday!  Blessings!

17 comments:

  1. Martha, your post made me think of homecoming to a family home, a hometown, a home with the Lord, and also our church home. May God draw us back to the Body of Christ. To encourage this, I'll highlight your post on the Christian Poets & Writers blog http://www.christianpoetsandwriters.com. God bless you and your family.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Mary! May God draw us all back into the arms of Jesus.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. I so enjoyed your post, Martha! I have often felt as you described, a sense of relief and welcome, upon my return home. Thank you for scooping up these and other feelings and placing them on paper so that we can be blessed. Carol

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words, Carol! I'm glad this post spoke to your heart and your memories today.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Hi Martha! Your post brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderfully generous thing your family did for you! They knew that you were about important work, and would need home to be a sanctuary. What a beautiful image of our own homecoming to the Lord someday...

    God give you the rest and peace you need,
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ceil! They did, indeed, make my home a sanctuary of joy and peace as we know the Lord will one day provide for us.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. What a neat gift they gave you and made your homecoming so special. I know once we are home from this vacation, home and the return of routine is a special blessing. Your post made me more aware to be grateful for this. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jean! Yes, vacations are great, but returning to the familiar routine is always welcome. Glad the post made you more grateful for that!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. Martha,

    You're welcome home sounds amazing. Yet an even more amazing "welcome home" awaits those of us who have Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

    Thank you for the reminder of the welcome that awaits...

    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen, Kim! Our heavenly home is being prepared even now!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. Martha, good thoughts and what a joy and blessing for you. :) It's so easy to take things and people for granted, but time away helps us uncover the gratitude. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Jason. Yes, we do tend to take our everyday existence for granted when we should treasure and savor every moment.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. Martha, how often I am just like you! Reflecting on my eternal homecoming as I traverse the back-and-forth journey of caregiving for my mother. I just got back yesterday from another visit, and each time I return, I breathe a new breath of restoration when I approach home. There is peace and respite there, and a husband who has looked for my return.

    In this life, there will be moments of serving that take us away from home, but these are but stops along the way to our eternal home. A place where none of us will EVER have to leave again...

    GOD BLESS!

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    Replies
    1. Amen, Sharon! There are times in this life that call us away from home, and we must serve the needs of those we love with grace. I agree that it will be wonderful to enter our final home and know we never have to leave again.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

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