Even as my ears heard the news and my mind began to reconcile the reality, my heart continued to bulk at acceptance. A college friend of mine was gone. Not “gone” as in taking a vacation — but gone as in a transfer of worlds.
She had been such a jovial person. Cheery, fun-loving, easily excited. When she loved something — her eyes lit up, and her whole face glowed. “Her grave is right up there on the hill,” her mother told me.
We were ministering in a family camp at the time, and had the afternoons free. So, one afternoon, we took a drive up the hill, past the other graves decorated so nicely, to one that overlooked the valley below. I stood and looked down on the tombstone. Around it were beautiful pink flowers, and on it were delicately engraved flowers and birds. It was the birth date the caught and kept my attention. April, 1968 — she was born two months before me. It was a sobering thought.
It lingered with me through the week . . . And beyond . . .
During that same week, my youngest son voiced a question that had nothing to do with the above circumstance, yet they somehow go together . . .
Being in the fourth week of family camp — and having been home only one night during those four weeks he was beginning to get a little “road weary.” Needless to say, even though we were enjoying the privilege to minister, we were all feeling a little that way! As we finished yet another mile in our van he longingly asked, “Mommy, when are we going to go home?”
Home. In an earthly, temporal sense there’s no place like it. No matter how grand the travels taken, or how enjoyable — there’s still nothing like home. You can kick off your shoes and relax. . . Until you have to put them on again . . .
Home. In the eternal, heavenly sense — THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE IT! No more pain, struggle, sorrow, temptation — simply peace in the Presence of God! Not a temporary resting place — an eternal place of rest! We won’t have to “hurry” — for time will be no more. We can “kick off our shoes” so to speak — and never have to put them on again!
Thousands of songs have been written in our feeble human attempt to express what is coming. Books continue being penned with great expectation. Sermons revealing the truth of our future ring in our ears and cause hope to rise in our hearts. Yet, one day our inadequate endeavors will be swallowed up in the glorious realization of the Truth — we will be home!
We smile through our tears as our hands stretch forward — reaching — reaching toward those who have gone on before. Not for one moment would we bring them back — it only deepens our longing — and our determination to meet them one day. And . . . Just imagine for a moment the welcoming of the One we live for, love, and serve. His Presence! Now, that’s home!
Take it with You
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
II Peter 3:13
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