HOME

"With God in your heart; everyplace can be called Home". This is a quote that is on one of my posters in my room. As I was cleaning my room today, my eye caught this saying and it struck me. It struck me so hard that it gave me a sense of calmness and peacefulness.

I remember when I first got that poster. It was my first year at JMU as a transfer student. I was in a new school, a new environment, and it was my FIRST time away from my parents and living away from them. It was my first experience living in a dormitory (c0-ed!) and I was beyond scared. One Saturday, I had taken the bus to the mall and at that time the Family Christian book store was still in the mall. I had a friend who worked there and she knew that I was scared of life in JMU and was extremely homesick, despite my being an hour away from home (I didn't have a car either). She encouraged me to buy the poster and hang it on my wall. At that time while at JMU, it was a good reminder to me that no matter where I was, whether it'd be in my parent's home or in the dorm, God will always be with me. I cherished that quote and I remember reading it every day as a reminder to myself.

Then I read that quote again a few days ago. I was reminded of how God will always dwell in my heart and in my life, no matter what road God has me on, He will always be with me. He will be with me on my physical journeys as I pray as to where God is leading me to live and find jobs. However, He will also lead me down that spiritual road; the spiritual road, though marked with pain and suffering will always be led by God. He will be there to guide me and comfort me as I continue to struggle down this painful journey of physical ailments. So, no matter where I go or what happens to me, I will always be "home" because God will always be there. And one day, that home in my heart will be a HOME in Heaven where I will live FOREVER!

Our physical home protects us from harm that we would encounter if we were to live on the streets. The locks on our doors and windows prevent any unwanted guest to enter in. The house has a firm foundation so that when strong winds come, the house will remain upright. The house is equipped to met our basic needs---running water, electricity to keep our fridge running and to cook or heat up our food. The physical home is a safe place to lay one' head to sleep at night. The spiritual home is similar. Wherever we are, God is with us and we can call that Home. God is the lock and bolt to our hearts---He keeps Satan away. He is our firm foundation for which our faith Him is based on. He is the foundation that will always hold us up and never let us fall. God will met our needs. Our Home will always be safe because Jesus is there. No matter how hard Satan tries, he will always be defeated when he tries to enter into our hearts. I'm not saying we don't have our battles with Satan----and boy, do I EVER have battles with him. When I'm having a struggling day or time in my life, I always wonder about God's love for me. I wonder about my relationship with God and I wonder if God really does have a hold on me. I struggle and I cry and I start to question God's will and plan in my life. Yet, it seems every time God brings to my mind, Scripture, worship songs, quotes from famous theologians, etc that helps me battle off Satan. I know that no matter how hard Satan tries, God is the doorkeeper to my heart and He will not allow Satan to enter!

I think about HOME often; I relish in the fact that one day I will be pain free---one day I will have the perfect body-- day I will not have to worry about things. One day I will be HOME and with my Lord forever and ever. Oh, how I can barely wait. I grieve for my Christian friends whom I've know that has died and gone to Heaven, only because I miss them in this physical world; but I rejoice in their presence in their new Home.....and I marvel. And, yes, I have to admit, I get jealous! I think about how so many times God has brought me and held me through all my trials and how undeserving I am of His Love and Kindness. I think about how God continuously embraces me when I need it and how, if I am open to it, you can really feel the presence of God and His embracement. Oh, how I can only imagine the feelings I would have when God's arms in wrapped fully around me once I enter through Heaven's gates. It's just so amazing the depth of God's love. I am so undeserving of His love; but I'm grateful that He has called me as His own. I am grateful for His care for me in the past and His continued care for me even now.

My friends, I long for the day when I can walk with God and am surrounded by His glory. The song I most love about going HOME is I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me. We can imagine how we will feel or what we will do but I'm sure it won't be near what we actually WILL do! Until then, I will glory in my Redeemer who carries me on eagles wings! Glory to God!