What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Random Journal Day: Yearning for a Home...

The first Friday of each month is also known as "Random Journal Day" for those of us who dare to share our  private journal messages from the past with our friends...The day we select a journal off the shelf (or out of the drawer...this time from the drawer of my vanity...)...and open the book and let you have a glimpse at a day from the past...
One of my "fancier" journals...


So here goes...this comes from October 12, 1991!  Written from our days in the ministry, far away from our family home...and longing for that home... Here's what I was thinking on that day so long ago...

"It's difficult to be so far away from loved ones and feel so helpless.  I would love to be able to have more frequent visits together while there is yet time.  And yet I'm reminded in God's Word that:
"No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God will fail to receive manytimes as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:29-30
I suppose that means that because we have left our homeland behind to follow God's will we will receive greater blessings than our earthly home -  in heaven - and it also says in THIS AGE as well!

I do know that God has supplied all our need in Christ, and that our physical needs have been adequately taken care of.  Even though, there is this constant yearning in my soul to have a "real home" - a place in which to feel truly at peace and joy~a home that is a haven from the stresses and strains of this world.  A place where I can rest at the end of a fruitful day knowing that there is a great sense of comfort and protection in that house.

Perhaps God wants me to feel that peace no matter where I am~just by resting in Him.  And in my soul, I do have that peace.  I know my eternal home is safe and secure~my faith in Christ has purchased that home for me. But I believe God wants us to feel that peace here on earth too.  There again~I know many of God's servants never have a "real home" here on earth.  They are many times forced to live in "tents" or small huts or cottages in foreign lands. Yet they do so willingly~they choose to serve the God Who has chosen them to be His servants.

So what am I trying to say?

I guess the older I get, the more I long to have a place to put down some roots and grow awhile....

I'm ready to stay put and work in the harvest field of wherever that home may be located for many years to come.  I'm tired of moving so often and not having any "real friends".  It seems as though as soon as we'd begin to make friends and find a place of genuine service, it would be time to move on to new pastures.
It would be nice if the next move we make could be the LAST for many years~but I don't ever want to stand in the way of God's will for us and block the path by selfishness and stubbornness.  Nor do I wish to attempt to dictate to God what He should do with regard to our future.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guiedes me in paths of righteousness
for His Name's sake"
Psalm 23:1-3

Perhaps this is what I'm longing for right now, Lord~to lie down in green pastures~beside still waters~and have my soul restored! "

FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT:

That was written 22 years ago!  We've come a looonnnng way since that day...in miles as well as life events.
We did eventually work our way back "home"....and we were able to once again live near our loved ones, helping them in their latter days on earth, and serving the Lord at the same time.

Now it seems that we have finally reached that place where we hope to stay for many years...and it is our prayer that God will continue to work in our present home to make it a haven from the stresses and strains of this world...a 'real home'-a place in which to feel truly at peace and joy.'   Not just for us, Lord, but for anyone who crosses our threshold...a place of comfort and protection from fear and alarm...a sanctuary for the weary and worn. A place where others will feel Your PRESENCE. This is my prayer, Lord.  I believe You are already providing the answer to my prayer from so many years ago. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen!


I hope you have enjoyed this journey back in time and place. Come again next month for another "Random Journal Day".  No telling WHERE our journey will take us!   Feel free to click on this link to read other journal entries from some of my other blogging friends at the Random Journal Day linkup.  You are welcome to join us anytime! We'd love to hear YOUR stories!

10 comments:

  1. Oh how I love your journal shares! You are like a refreshing stream, Pam! Isn't it amazing to look at our perspective in time with the wisdom we have now looking back from a broader spectrum...hmmmm. Thank you for being a blessing, encouragement and faithful friend right where you are!

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    1. Bless you, Dawn. You are so special...always a bright spot in my day, and talk about an encourager! Yes, sometimes I look back at what I wrote 20 years ago and say, "who was that girl?" I often am hit by the fact that God was talking to me then about the same things He is still trying to teach me...either I haven't learned, or actually I knew it better then than I do now. I'm glad He had me write it down back then to remind me and teach me today! LOL!!
      I love this random journal stuff. It's good for us to put things in perspective today...and see how God has answered our prayers from the past!
      Blessings, dear sweet friend!

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  2. I agree with Dawn, your journal entries are so raw and honest and they always point back to the Father as you find a way to view your circumstances in a bette light. Kind of reminds me of David's Psalms.

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    1. David's Psalms have often been my best teacher. I go back to them day after day. They never grow old, do they? See what I said to Dawn above...when we look back at how God was teaching us in the past, and then we can see how He is still working in our present...oftentimes we see the fulfillment of our heart's desires and prayers now, and we wouldn't have realized it if we hadn't have had these journals to remind us! (did that make sense?) Thank you for stopping by today. I always love to hear from you!!! You always make me smile.

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  3. I also enjoy your journal days. In today's sharing, you show me things I really hadn't thought about. Thank you for your transparency.

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    1. I am always amazed at what God is showing you, my friends here, in these simple offerings. He seems to open others' eyes to the real truth He is attempting to convey through this weak messenger. Thank you for seeing these things. I am humbled to know that God continues to work even with something written so many years ago during my time of longing.
      Thank you.

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  4. Searching for your earthly home until you are greeted in your heavenly one. It makes sense to me. And even now, when you feel at rest, I suppose you won't ever quite feel like this is anything but temporary because you have heaven in your heart. That's what always comes through in your writing. Thanks for that.

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    1. Yes, the older I get the more I understand that this world is not my final "home". It is merely a place to stay and live and hopefully grow and thrive in God's light. He continues to teach me daily...even from things He was teaching me so many years ago. Isn't that amazing how He does that in each of our lives??? I know you understand this. Thank you for your thoughts today. They are a comfort to me.

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  5. I love the honesty in your journal entry...even though you wanted to be serving the Father where you were...you were honest with Him about your longings for home. And I love how He has given you a desire not just for home for yourself now...but for anyone who crosses your threshold...to offer a sanctuary for weary souls...beautiful...your heart is still for God and the "home" he offers us through the community of loving Him and others.

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    1. Hello Kel, although I do not believe we have "met" here before, I am grateful that you have stopped by to visit this humble dwelling. Yes, as I wrote above to "Jeskmom", I understand more and more each day that this world is not our final home...but we are to use whatever "home" we have for God's glory and to share His love with others at any time. Whether it be through the medium of this written word of home, or through the actual physical house we live in...it all belongs to Him. May Christ be praised and exalted in my home (heart) today and everyday. Thank you for your visit today. Blessings to you.

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.