Remember what it felt like to be homesick?
I remember the pit in my stomach, the ache in my young heart, and the lump in my throat.
Tears would betray me every time.
Many times I was only forty-five minutes away from home and gone for a few days, but the longing for security, mom’s cooking, and my own bed overshadowed the joy of my camping trip or my visit with my grandparents. I even remember feeling this way spending the night at a friend’s home a couple of blocks from mine. I faked a stomach ache so I could go home. My parents had to come get me in the middle of the night.
Homesick.
I’m all grown up now. Three young adult children, almost twenty-five years of marriage, and nearing the big half-a-century birthday prove that I’m an adult. Yet, even now homesickness creeps up on me once in awhile.
But it’s not a longing for the place I grew up.
It’s a longing for a place I’ve never been.
I felt it the other day. I was driving down the road contemplating the world we live in and the battle that wages against what God created, and I felt it. That old familiar ache returned, and I felt the pit in my stomach, the lump in my throat, and tears threatened to betray me.
I’m not sure I’ve felt it so strongly.
But I longed for my real home. I longed for heaven.
My desire wasn’t sparked by calamities in my life or the death of someone I love who I desperately miss–that’s what usually stirs the ache.
No. This time it was something more. I was reminded that I’m not from here.
[tweetability]You aren’t from here either. This is not home. We can’t forget that.[/tweetability]
This week’s Bite of Bread is about who we belong to and how we are to live in light of His mercy.
Jot down these verses. Find your favorite “quiet time” spot. Coffee. Candle. Journal and pen. These are the recipe to finding a little bit of “home” before you start your day.
Do you ever feel homesick for heaven? What do you do when you feel that pit in your stomach?
With Purpose,
Linking up with Juana Mikels!
Photo attribution: “Swingset”. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swingset.jpg#/media/File:Swingset.jpg
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Hey Andy,
Thank you for this reminder. . . When I was about 10 years old, I was supposed to go to summer camp with my best friend. She got sick at the last minute. This shy, awkward girl went anyway. I tried so hard not to be–but I was so homesick that I threw up all over my cabin. The counselors tried to talk me into staying, but I didn’t make it past Wed. My dad and four of my cousins came and picked me up. When I saw them, I was instantly healed. . . I think this is why I sometimes long for heaven. . . to see both my heavenly Dad and my earthly dad.
Oh Lindy! What a traumatic experience! Homesickness is universal isn’t it? I’m right with you. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Andy!!
I loved this post so much because spiritual loneliness and homesickness are things I experience so often living so far far away in Asia.
I think of you often and know your ministry is growing and helping so many people.
Hey Amanda! Oh, we miss you, girl! I’m sure you get homesick! I’ll be praying for you. Thanks for stopping by and your sweet words.
Andy,
Yes my beautiful Sister.
I too am homesick.
Thank you for the reminder.
That we have hope and a eternal home.
Love and Blessings.
I know you are Venus! Can’t wait to laugh with you in heaven living side by side in our mansions. :)
I know this feeling. I, too, am longing for the home where government by mortal men and women does not apply. Thanks for the reminder, the encouragement, and the Scripture bites. Heavenly!
Hi Cheryl! I knew you knew. :) So glad our paths crossed and looking forward to eternity with you.