Home

I've been thinking a lot today about what it means to "go home"...

Obviously, we all have some sort of an earthly home. What particularly strikes me about "going home" to our earthly dwelling is the variations in how the phrase can be spoken. Some say they are "going home" with a sigh, dreading the experience. Others are elated and excited to relive the memories that whisper within the walls. And God knows that there are those who have lived in a house full of hate or sadness. Whatever the situation, the pure feeling of "going home" is far from a universal emotion.

But what if that feeling of "going home" could be shared? What if every single person in the world (the poor, the lonely, the wealthy, the happy, the broken, even the homeless) felt a genuine peace and overwhelming joy when they spoke the phrase "I am going home!"

If we only knew that we all have an opportunity to have the best home. A home that is surrounded by unfailing love and indescribable joy. In John 14:2, Jesus says that he is "going there to prepare a place for you". How comforting it is to know that He has prepared each of us a room in His Heavenly Mansion...that the God who most beautiful and loving in every way would accept me, a selfish, undeserving, and dirty sinner into His Home.

Yesterday, the beloved Bertie Carter was welcomed into paradise. She was truly a blessing to everyone she met. She lived life to love on others, especially the unlovable. What an incredible lady she was, one who understood God's grace better than many, including myself. Though her earthly home will crumble with time, Bertie's legacy in Christ will linger forever throughout our small community.

Praise God...Bertie no longer hurts

...Bertie went home!

I've seen enough to say that I know

That this old world is not my home

From lustful eyes and tainted lies, pride to hide the way that I

The way that I feel inside

I am ready to go home

I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

I am ready to go home

I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

Yes, I'm gonna run, I'm gonna run for my home

To stand in the sight of the Living God

That's where I'm longing to be

"Home" by Shawn McDonald