Coming Home
The summer before my senior year in high school I began to consider my future. That sounds a lot wiser and more mature than it actually was. I knew I wanted to go to college but wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. However there was one thing I was certain of – I wanted to get as far away from home as I could. Not because home was in any way a terrible place. It was, in fact, loving and good. I simply wanted to test my wings – away from watchful parental eyes. I had had enough of rules and expectations. I wanted to make my own way – to check out the things I thought I was missing (You know – the stuff everyone else was doing.)
I got my wish and found a great college as far away from home, while still remaining in the same state, as possible. The day came when we piled my most valued possessions into the family car and drove away from everything I had known and into my “freedom.” I’m not sure exactly how long it took before I was good and thoroughly homesick. I think it may have begun as I stood in front of the dorm waving good-by to my Mom and Dad. Miss Independence wanted nothing more than that two story white house on Orchard Street.
Just the other day I read words that carried me swiftly back to those days of wanting to be free of the things I saw as restrictions:
“It is not of God’s severity that He requires much from man; it is of His great kindness that He will have the soul open herself wider, to be able to receive much, that He may bestow much upon her… Although it sound hard, and is hard at first, as touching the forsaking and dying to all things, yet when one has reached this state, no life can be easier or sweeter, or fuller of pleasures; for God is right diligent to be with us at all seasons, and to teach us, that He may bring us to Himself, when we are like to go astray. None of us ever desired anything more ardently than God desires to bring men to the knowledge of Himself.” J. Tauler
I though about the times I chaffed under what seemed like overbearing demands placed on me by my heavenly Father. About the times I turned away because, after all, there were too many things I had to deny myself. Didn’t I deserve to be happy and free?
Like my earthly parents, He gives me room to go as far away as I think I want to go – knowing all the while that it won’t take long before I discover “home” is the only place I want to be – the only place I find everything I was looking for. I am prone to wander, but He waits patiently to welcome me back with open arms. He is my shelter, my peace, my hope, my joy, my healer, my fulfillment. He is my Home.
Blessings,
Linda
Amen, Linda! I’m so happy that He is my home too.
Praise God that we always have a place to come to …and He is never far away! ((blessings))
I think at times are all prone to wander. I am thankful that our Lord is always there to welcome us back!