Have you ever gone on a trip without your children or spouse and heard the words “I missed you” upon your return?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It warms your heart that someone cared enough to miss you, and makes you feel valued and loved. It affirms that your presence makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, I went to visit some of my grandchildren for a couple of weeks. Three kids, ages six and under. It was a wild time! Making cookies and candy together, painting and puppets, craft projects, building with Legos, shopping, temporary tattoos, ice cream, playing chase on the playground, Tic Tac Toe, opening gifts as we celebrated holidays and birthdays, and even Mardi Gras parades. Those who know me know that I am a book-a-holic, so yes, there were also lots of bedtime stories and snuggles, too. During the visit, I was completely immersed in all things \u201cgrandkids.\u201d I was out of my quiet routine and in a wonderful, energy- filled environment that didn\u2019t slow down. There was lots of jumping, playing, squealing\u2014and of course, hugs. My heart was full as I, exhausted, fell asleep in bed with them after our bedtime stories and prayers. I awoke to hearing the youngest one who had just turned two, calling for me to get her from her crib. I hadn\u2019t seen them in four long months, and I had missed being with them, even if my back did hurt from all the lifting and activity that my body wasn\u2019t accustomed to. The middle child running back to me for \u201cone more hug\u201d as we said our goodbyes melted my heart and I was squeezed so hard that my eyes leaked. I wouldn\u2019t trade those moments for anything. Perhaps you can relate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came the long twelve-hour drive home. It was a nice time of solitude, listening to worship songs, and reflecting on the time spent. It allowed time to decompress, re-adjust back to my time zone, and mentally prepare myself for all the things I would need to do in the week ahead that had piled up in my absence. As I arrived home safely, I was so thankful for the time we had together, even if only for a short while. Indeed, my cup overflowed. My heart was full of love, my head full of memories made, and my phone full of silly photographs and videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I settled in and worked on getting back to my routine, I realized that in all the cuddly chaos, I had not spent time in God\u2019s word. Although I had prayed with the children at bedtime and mealtime, prayed over them as they slept, and we attended church together on the visit, my time in personal Bible study had been absent. The visit had been full speed ahead and then crash. If you are a grandparent, you likely know what I\u2019m talking about. I hadn\u2019t thought much about my Bible tucked away in the console of my car. I confess, it had only crossed my mind once or twice during my visit, but not at times I could easily stop and focus. However, as I returned to my routine and everyday life, I pulled out my Bible. In my spirit, I heard the voice instantly.\u00a0 \u201cI missed you.\u201d \u00a0It was the still, small whisper of God letting me know that He had missed our time together. \u201cI missed you, too.\u201d I responded. In that moment, my heart was warm and I felt loved in a whole different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you experienced the feeling I\u2019m referring to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The God I love, my first love, the One I hadn\u2019t spent as much time with the last two weeks, my Heavenly Father, had waited patiently for me to return home and spend time with Him. My physical home\u2014a place of solace, solitude, and scripture. My spiritual home\u2014a place in the heart of God filled with peace, love, and belonging. In that moment, I was reminded that I need to do a better job of maintaining my spiritual home, which can be experienced anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I had opened the door to my home the night before, I was greeted with a kiss from my husband, and our dog, a 90-pound labrador retriever, jumping up and down excitedly smothering me with sloppy, wet kisses. They were glad I was, once again, home. And, though I was now missing my grandchildren\u2019s hugs and kisses, so was I. There truly is no place like home and your own bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Luke 15, we learn that when we, as sinners, come home to God, accepting His son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, there is rejoicing in heaven. It is a reunion of parent and child, creator and created, as we lovingly accept His invitation to come home. No matter where we\u2019ve been, what we\u2019ve done, or how long we\u2019ve been gone, He awaits with loving arms. The father of the prodigal son also felt this. It still amazes me that God longs to spend time with me, even more than I long to spend time with my grandchildren. And I love spending time with both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you been away from God or His word for a while? Maybe you\u2019ve been traveling too, or you\u2019ve been caring for grandchildren or aging parents or spouse, or your workload has been overwhelming. It may have been a long while or a short while. Either way, child of God, it\u2019s time to go \u201chome.\u201d You\u2019ve been missed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve never given your life to Christ to become a child of God, I want you to know there is nothing like it. Living for Jesus is truly living your best life. While it may still involve tough seasons and bad breath doggie kisses, it\u2019s a love unmatched and a life worth celebrating. Have you considered admitting you\u2019ve sinned and missed the mark, believing Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine, and confessed him as Lord and Savior? He is waiting for you to come home and run into His open arms. Open the door to a spiritual home where you can belong and rest in His love and His peace. I don\u2019t want to miss you in heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please read these foundational posts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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