I live about four hours from my hometown. That is actually pretty close compared to those I know who have to shell out several hundred dollars for airfare, use up a week of vacation time and withstand the “pat down” of disinterested TSA employees. Still, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t make it home very often. My last visit was Christmas time, so recently I was beginning to experience longings for hugs from my family and seeing the familiar sites of “home”. I missed having those priceless conversations with my family. You must know the ones I mean. Those conversations that are like a well-known dance that weaves to and fro. We effortlessly move from discussions regarding the menu for our next shared meal to current struggles hopes dreams and fears. We move from sharing the most recently learned beauty secrets to new insights on the grace and mercy of God in challenging circumstances.
My time home filled up that empty spot that can only be satisfied by reconnecting with those who really know the You that was before and the You that exists now. Those who both love and encourage growth and change and model what it looks like in real-life circumstances how to be a faithful mother, sister, wife, and friend.
During this time of reconnection, a friend’s puppy ran away from home. I don’t know if he intentionally meant to leave the place where he received fresh food, water, and endless hugs and kisses or simply wandered away. Nevertheless, he chose to venture away from his oasis into an unfamiliar and dangerous realm. He was only a few weeks old and would have no idea how to fend for himself, protect himself from the elements or larger four-legged beasts who were looking for a snack.
When this happened a frantic group of friends, family, and even strangers made up a search and rescue team. They looked for that poor little guy for over two days, going into wooded areas and cornfields with the hopes of bringing this sweet bundle of fur back into the safe and loving arms of his owners. We all prayed for his safe return and cried with excitement when he was found, such joy, he was home, he was safe once again.
Are you familiar with Jesus’ teaching about The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, and The Lost Coin? In the third book of the New Testament, Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells three stories (parables) that describe treasures that were lost and then found once again. He described the great value of the 1 sheep out of 100, 1 gold coin out of 10 and finally, 1 of two sons. He used these parables to communicate our worth as his children. He knew this truth was so imperative for us to understand that he shared not one but three stories to communicate his deep love for us. He demonstrated that the grief that was once experienced turned into a celebration when the lost became found, finally home. Pain became joy, a deep sigh of relief was heard and a feast was had for all.
My point is this. My earthly home is comprised of people (including myself) who fail, disappoint and are chronically unable to meet unrealistic expectations. But, even with limitations, these people still offer a rich, safe-haven, a place to experience true love and connectedness, a place to take a deep breath and relax in the being known and loved. If this less than perfect experience of my earthly home offers so very much, then, how much immeasurably more will my true home offer? We who believe and confess the name of Jesus have a home and a Father who is not susceptible to change in behavior caused by low blood sugar or stressful situations. His love for me, for us, does not change like shifting shadows but is an Everlasting Love which offers an Everlasting Home.
Let us continue to enjoy the home we have here on earth. Let us thank our Father daily for the gift of belonging, of friends and family, for the gift of going home. However, let us hold loosely to what we have here as it will disappoint and very often fall short of expectations. Let us keep our eyes fixed on our true Home, with a Father who is faithful and loves perfectly.
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
