Sharing a Sweet Homeward-Bound Moment

I share this homeward-bound moment to tell you that God is looking for messengers who are willing to be on assignment for Him. He is looking for the "whoevers" to step up and say "Pick me to help You carry out Your divine plans for this world. His plans for us were given to us by Jesus "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15) And, what is that Good News? John told us in his exhortation from John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life." Now, that's Good News and it's also a homeward-bound reality!

Once upon a time, I felt pressured to share my faith. We handed out gospel tracts at events, street corners and even went door-to-door sharing the Good News. Though many were pros at it, It sure wasn’t my comfort zone. Now, my way is to be in the moment, being relaxed and waiting for the heaven-to-earth obvious timing -- an open door or an unquestionable nudge -- to be a light – God’s light to others.

Last week in Red River, NM, I blogged that a store owner had her Bible underneath a basket of crosses. She was overtly displaying her faith. Another store in that town was called “The Way” with a scripture message posted on their front window. They were overtly sharing their faith. I often wear a cross necklace or a t-shirt with a gospel message on it. Now, I wear my "Faith over Fear" face mask. It opened the door for conversation when someone said, "I like your face mask!" BTW, I got mine at Sam Moon's! Those are ways that we can plant a seed into someone’s life. I guarantee you – though many shun the Christian faith and Christian people, if those same folks come against hard times or illness – they search us out because they sense the God-factor in our lives.

What the world needs now is God’s love. How will others know unless they see or hear or feel that love from us? What if a grocery line, a doctor's office a nail or hair appointment became meeting places for divine appointments? I’ve become a listener to that “still small voice” for the opportunity to show God’s love or to speak of God's love. You see, I am overtly sharing the Good News every day in these blogs. I see many of you overtly sharing your faith, too, through your uplifting messages.

Did you know that we have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's prayer daily by simply staying aware of God's little nudges -- and being His voice and His hands extended to a hurting world that needs His love and peace?

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8.

Homeward Bound

On Thursday, at 7 am, I am walking with my earbuds in, and Chris Tomlin’s song “Home” comes on from my playlist. As I hear the words, I think about my dear friend's dad who is lingering in his final hours of life. I tear up because I just imagine that those words must be his words this morning. He had already said “I want to go home!” to his family earlier in the week. I stop to send the song to my friend with these words "For your daddy and you this morning, sweet girl. Love you so much. "Home" by Chris Tomlin. Praying for you all this morning. God is with you so strong. I just know it." At 9:30 am, I receive this text from my friend: “He just passed into paradise!”

The day after, Friday, my usual flow of ideas for my blog isn't coming as readily as usual. I have nada – nothing, but I know to hang in there because soon it will come. It does. “Homeward bound” pops into my head. This day, "homeward bound" can only mean one thing. Since I'm at home in Frisco, it must reference the day before, when my precious friend replied to my text that I sent to her while on my morning walk.

I sent the song onto my sis-in-law because Mom’s 94-year-old sister, and Mom, 97-years-old, keep saying those words, “I want to go home!” In fact, on a recent phone call from Mom to Auntie Alma – they both said, “Let’s go home together!” Perhaps you have a loved one, or even yourself who has a longing for "home", too. This song will bless you. Here’s the link, followed by the lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIb4NC5ikYo

"This world is not what it was meant to be /
All this pain, all this suffering /
There's a better place waiting for me / In Heaven
Every tear will be wiped away / Every sorrow and sin erased /
We'll dance on seas of amazing grace / In Heaven / In Heaven

I'm goin' home / Where the streets are golden / Every chain is broken / Oh I wanna go / Oh I wanna go / Home
Where every fear is gone / I'm in your open arms /
Where I belong / Home

Lay down my burdens, I lay down my past /
I run to Jesus, no turning back /
Thank God Almighty, I'll be free at last / In Heaven / In Heaven
Blinded eyes / Will finally see /
The dead will rise / On the shores of eternity /
The trump will sound / The angels will sing /
Hallelujah, Hallelujah"

Home-goings are like a double-edged sword – we ache at the thought of a loved one apart from us, yet, oh the joy we have that they, as a child of God, are in heaven and our parting is just temporary. One day we’ll be back together again for a joyous celebration of being "home" forever.

When I think about my friend's sweet daddy, my husband, my parents, grandparents, all my siblings who have gone “home” and Mom and Auntie Alma who want to go “home”, I think about the joy and celebrating we’ll have together in heaven.

As Chris Tomlin says in his song, this world really is filled with so much suffering, so much pain, so much sorrow and so much fear. But, the beauty that this song points to is that one day Jesus is going to make it all right. God will make all things new and all our tears will be wiped away. No more sin. No more sorrow. Chains will be broken off! How amazing! The fact is -- for those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are already living eternal life -- as we'll just step through the doorway to our home sweet home one day.

Rick Warren says: “Here’s what I know -- the tears that dampen our eyes in times of mourning, are tears of homesickness, tears of longing for our loved ones. But it is we who are away from home, not they! Death has been for them a doorway to an eternal home. They are still with us, lovingly and tenderly waiting for the day when we, too, will enter the doorway of our eternal home. For us who believe, death is a preparation for eternal union with those we love, in the peace and joy of heaven. We were made for heaven. We were made to last forever.”

So, while we are still on this side of heaven.....let’s continue to finish our assignments well and live every day in the light of eternity -- enroute to our heavenly home. We are homeward bound! Let's plan to meet up there!

Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound. After a beautiful Sunday brunch with the bride and groom, and the rest of the out-of-towners, we gave all our hugs and best wishes and we were then headed out in the Motorcoach again for our return trip to Frisco.

I just had to post this sweet photo of Braden carrying Ruth across their home's threshold today. It sure made my day. Sweet newlyweds starting their lives together, ever after. They leave on their honeymoon tomorrow.

This has been such a great few days both in this motorcoach and all the excitement that surrounded the wedding.

Now, the homeward journey. Yes, it's a journey that we embrace, not simply a destination. On this Motorcoach, it's easy to say that. Tensions are minimal - - especially since we all have our spots. Payton and Alexia have their bunk areas, all private, curtained with built in TVs. I enjoy the dining area where I can study, play cards. We can take turns going to the back of the coach to the cozy bedroom to take naps or watch a movie. Bless Larry's heart, he drives all the way. Well we'll be stopping for a few hours to rest tonight.

We couldn't just drive back to Frisco directly without a stop for family and adventuring fun at Dunn's Falls with 65 foot waterfalls, a historical site grist mill and fun hiking locations. Another stop was Jackson, Mississippi for Staci's Sunday Night Live Facebook feed. The kids enjoyed walks around the Capitol Buildings. We'll get back to Frisco in the morning and we'll close the chapter on Braden and Ruth's wedding weekend and the adventures that went along with it.

We have a choice in life -- to live in the fast lane where we get to our destination in lickety-split time or we can embrace the journey along the way. I love, love, love embracing and really experiencing the journey.

I loved it when we got back from the falls, and to the motor coach and Alexia turned the coach into a facial and makeup salon for her mom. Oh the joys this family brings me. What a blessing to be in this sweet season of life. Smelling the roses along the way sure makes for sweet aromas of thanksgiving and gratitude that blesses this heart of mine.