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!