Dual Citizenship Has Its Privileges

I had an “aha” moment when I handed over my passport at the Mexico customs entry. I was handing over my Rite of Passage.

Having a passport goes way back to my teenage years but taking the time to read the first page of it goes back to last Sunday. This is what I read: "The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection." I read those words and felt privileged.

I’ve used my passport to take me through many border crossings and I like to think that if I had ever had any kind of difficulty, anywhere in the world, I could have shown them this little blue book embossed in gold and people would have helped me because of what our country stands for in the world -- "land of the free and the home of the brave". Too many have shed precious blood for our liberties and our privileges. I’m more proud than ever to carry an American passport. Also, I love seeing the customs agent flipping my passport pages to find a blank space to stamp that country's seal to prove I was there. Every stamp represented the privilege of entering that country with the backing of my country behind me.

Because my husband was a natural born citizen of Canada, our children are dual citizens -- of the U.S. where they were born and are also Canadian citizens. As his wife, I was welcomed in. We were graciously given the same privileges of other Canadian citizens.

But the grandest news is to have dual citizenship of this world and the citizenship of the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:19-20 says, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone." Being a child of God comes with the privileges of being loved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I love, honor and respect my dual citizenship: in the U.S. AND in the Kingdom of God. As citizens and representatives of both, there are responsibilities to love, honor, protect and respect our privileges, to represent both kingdoms well. If I didn’t live in the U.S. and hadn’t become a part of the Kingdom of God, I suspect I’d be clamoring to get in. In the Kingdom of God, the borders are wide open -- no walls, fences, and no “Do Not Enter” signs. WHOEVER you are, you can get in, too! Just look at the WHOEVERS-MAY-COME into this privileged Kingdom:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

“I am come a light into the world, that WHOEVER believes on me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)

“And it shall come to pass, that WHOEVER shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

Because of the cross, Christians know where we’re headed, and because of the cross, we are guaranteed citizenship. It is the country we belong in, the home and land we’ve been looking for all our lives. The color of our passport is blood red and our eternal visa has already been irrevocably stamped. We can’t always know what our house will look like or what country we will call home for any given season, but all believers can have full confidence and deep comfort that, because of Christ, God has prepared a place for us. Indeed, we are privileged dual citizens!

Free of Pain, Worry & Sorrow -- Living With Gratitude

TBT!  Remembering sweetly....past Thanksgivings!

It was early part of the year, 2010, when our son said he wanted us to join his family for Thanksgiving at their place in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Ron and I made it a part of our goals for the year.  But then, as the year progressed, and my Honey's health changed so drastically, when Ryan asked about reserving our flights, I told him, "Faith says to go ahead and book….but wisdom says, 'buy travel insurance'!"

Just shortly after my Honey "went home", our son and his family arrived in Tulsa.  Ryan was already urging me to go to Cabo with them on Sunday, after the marathon.  Initially, I hesitated, thinking there was just too much to do -- "I have more responsibilities now, and I need to be responsible."  But with the emphatic prompting of our children, I realized, "This is what my Honey would want me to do -- to get away and get refreshed."   But when I was unable to find my passport (my Honey had his secret hiding places), it seemed that maybe I wasn't supposed to go, after all.  But our daughter, Staci, in her own "search and rescue" efforts, heard the words..."in my sock drawer".  Her "hearing" from God, and I believe, my Honey, led her straight to that drawer -- felt behind the drawer, that's inside the drawer, and there they were.  It most definitely was meant to be.  I started getting excited about the trip.  I knew that's where I was supposed to be for the next week.

The first photo posted here, was our family Thanksgiving in Tulsa, without Papa!  You can see how we were able to express complete joy and celebration for the many Thanksgivings we had with him, and now celebrating and thanking God for our lives to live strong and make him proud of us.

On Sunday, after the marathon, we flew to Cabo.  It was the perfect place of beauty,  tranquity and warmth to refresh, revive and remember the man I loved so dearly.   I woke at 5 am each morning to enjoy the magnificent sunrise on the crashing waves.  Oh how sweet was the presence of my loving Father.  Then, my son announced that we (my two oldest grandsons, our son and I) were going on a deep sea fishing expedition.  I was so giddy and excited.  I knew my Honey would want it to be this way.  He would want me free of pain, worry and sorrow.   Lobo, the captain of our boat, told me he was taking us to el lugar secreto (the secret place) to find the fish.  He did.  Reeling in the Mahi Mahi, shown in the photo, was a thrill of a lifetime.

Like Lobo taking us to "the secret fishing place", I have found myself, as well -- in the secret place.  Psalm 91:1,2 -- "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'"   Why shouldn't I feel this peace?   God promised it to me if  I would live in that place.  It's a choice I must make daily.   John 14:27, Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   I shall go forward -- enjoying the memories, the sweetness of loving and being loved, choosing to be care-free and unafraid…….and daily living in that el lugar secreto!