Have you ever been on a trip and when you return, when you open the door to the house, you have that overwhelming heart-felt rush of “it’s so nice to be home!”? Have you flopped down on your bed that night and thought, “oh, I love my own bed!”?
No matter the length of the trip…a weekend to visit the kids, a two-week vacation, or like us, two years living away in another state…the feeling is the same. “I had a wonderful time away…but, it’s so good to be home!
I’ve been feeling a bit of guilt lately…that somehow I’ve “taken a trip” away from God. Oh, I pray, a lot… I’d say, without ceasing. I believe in His power, I see it daily. But am I giving God my best? Somehow, I’ve wandered…away from studying my Bible, away from stopping daily for “quiet time” with the Lord.
This morning, I read this scripture.
“Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” – Joel 2:13
and I thought about that feeling…knowing that when I’m “in His word”, when I’m stopping each day and praying intentionally, when I take a quiet time to “listen” for his voice…I am HOME. I l feel the “rush” in my heart, I know “this is the place I’m meant to be”.
And the coolest thing of all…God is gracious and compassionate…His love is abounding! No matter how long a “trip” I’ve taken…all He wants is “me back”. He’s waiting for me to ”come home”.
“Oh Lord, I’ve missed you terribly. And I didn’t even realize how much until I walked in the door.” “It’s so good to be home!”
Oh, I can so relate to this! I have been… well, sitting and waiting on God to “fix” things, and kind of staying away in the meantime – yes, praying all the time, but that’s it. It’s time to get back, yes. Thanks… good to know I haven’t been alone, anyway.
I do this all the time for both the “house” and God… it’s always good to be “home”!
Michaela, wonderful post. I have felt the exact same way. After reading this I sat down with my bible and spent an hour with God and you are so right, it truly is so good to be home!