As many of you know I am from Arizona. This is my second Christmas and New Year that I have lived in Spokane and the journey of identifying “home” has become more complicated. My heart longs for home, which I still refer to as Arizona. Some may think that I should be over this longing since I have been here almost two years, but I don’t think the longing will ever leave my heart. You see I literally grew up with my family surrounding me at all times, whether it is living in the same home or living next door to them after I became an adult. Although that longing is still in my heart, I now also have the longing to be back to Spokane and live life with my new church family as well. This definition of home creates conflict in mind and heart. If you have never experienced this feeling it is very difficult to explain, but this feeling brings me to the moment I discovered my true home: in God’s arms.
During a period of time in my life I did not have peace or this true definition of home. You know that feeling of safety and comfort that you feel when you walk through the doors of your home? When I was not walking with the Lord I wasn’t able to feel that constant safety and peace throughout my day-to-day life. Once I surrendered my life to the Lord this definition of home changed. Because I am human I still long for my home in Arizona, but visiting Arizona always reminds me of the first time I came to the Lord and felt what home truly felt like. Isn’t it wonderful that no matter where we are in life or in this world — whether we are physically alone, surrounded by family or back home visiting — we can come back to feeling home in our Saviors arms? The Lord has made a promise to each of us that he is there waiting for us. He has been planning on you coming home for a long time. Imagine that longing you feel to be home or to have your children home for the holidays. Well, our Lord’s longing for you is even greater. He has prepared a home for you eternally, you just need to accept it.
Are you starting this New Year seeking your eternal home for the first time? Have you been walking with the Lord, but you are in need of being reminded that your home is already prepared for you? During this New Year allow God to be your home. It is the best feeling of home you will ever have!
“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.” John 14:2-4 (MSG)
Back home in Spokane, Pastor Hope Terhaar
Pre-Teens & Children’s Ministries