No Place Like Home (11/18/2024)

This morning, as I sat on my porch with coffee in my own Irish cup mellowed by my favorite creamer, I began my talk with my LORD in thanksgiving for having a home and being in it. Travel has its attractions, but home trumps it every time. It’s familiar. It’s comfy. It’s where I can totally be me. I totally get Dorothy’s wish as she clicked her ruby slippers because there is no other place like home.

It was wonderful seeing my mother, taking her to eat in some of her favorite spots, visiting with her and my sister and brother and their families. I wish I lived closer and could physically sit with them more often and participate in their lives more often and more fully. The LORD nudges me when I say that, reminding me of the era in which I live that allows for better and faster communication. And I resolve to do better at keeping in touch.

But the older I get, the less I enjoy time away. I don’t know if it’s because my ruts are so deep or because of fears of “what if…?” that are more frequent with age. But there is something in my wiring that makes home my preferred address. And it’s not just my physical, worldly home that is on my mind these days. My sense of and desire for my home in the LORD intensifies as well.

Can you feel that longing for our eternal home that I am speaking of? Do you feel it also? That longing for uninterrupted joy? That desire to be with the LORD more fully, more wholly? Every day as I journey in faith, hope and love regardless of how many physical miles I put on my car, I feel that draw to come home more deeply in my mind, in my heart, in my bones, in my soul.

And my whole being whispers to me, “Already, but not yet.” The LORD is already present to me. Am I present to the LORD? The LORD already loves me. Am I loving the LORD wholly in return? I am on the LORD’s mind already. Is the LORD on my mind and in my heart? And I realize I’ve still miles to go.

This day I pray to the LORD to draw me closer, to stir the sparks of love within my being, to increase my desire for Him and my willingness to more fully live my faith, trust my hope, and love. I realize the LORD isn’t done with me yet. I’m still here which means there is more to do. LORD, grant that I may hear your call, give myself more fully to discern your will and to strive to live it. I know you’ve saved a place for me. Help me to claim it.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.