GOING HOME

 

 

 

My thoughts turned to those words this week as I sat loving a little boy in the NICU who I learned was indeed going home that day after being born 24 days earlier!

As you might know, my week is always blessed extra when I call the NICU on a Sunday morning and hear those words “Yes, we have some little ones that need some extra love.”  After a six week hiatus it was music to my ears. 

This particular week started with folding and organizing clothes for an hour since the nurses said as soon as I arrived all the babies were suddenly quiet!  🙂  Just as I was finishing folding, there was this one particular boy to hold; perfect timing.

A few of the nurses stopped by as I was holding him and told him how happy they were for him to be going home.

 

While holding him for a few hours, my thoughts wandered back to Monday morning when I learned that a beautiful, faith filled lady from our church went home to be with the Lord during the night.  I didn’t really know her intimately but her life certainly touched mine especially as the last few years we were both involved in a few of the same Bible Studies.  The depth of her faith and devotion to the Lord was so apparent.

I was really sad and couldn’t hold back the tears while trying to work. Knowing that this world will have a void in it without her and thinking of her husband and family who will miss her terribly were big factors. It is still sad though I am so happy knowing she is without a doubt with the Lord at the Heavenly Banquet Feast suffering no more.

A wonderful memory I will always treasure is that this year a group of us from our church went Christmas Caroling to some shut-ins.  This was one house where we went.  It was a blessing indeed as we saw the joy on their faces while they joined in singing too. 🙂

 

My friend celebrating Valentine’s Day with her family.

 

 

In a week I was viewing the two opposite spectrums of life of “going home.”;

…one of newborn heading home to join his family and begin his life there;

…one whose life on this earth was completed going home to the eternal home with Jesus.

Reflecting on both of these lives made me also think about us “going home” to the Lord while on this earth; going home as turning our lives over to Him.

The time we first accept Christ as our Savior….

Whenever we turn from sin in our lives….

Whenever we repent of wrong doing…

Whenever we evict the idols in our lives that are not Christ…

 

 

Thinking of a newborn going home, especially after a stay in the NICU, what are some emotions that come to mind….

*excitement

*joy

*happiness

*uncertainty

*love

*scared

*relief

*thankful

*sadness for those who cared so lovingly for them

*great expectation

 

As I thought more more about my friend going home to the Lord and for those of us, when we choose with our decisions, to be going home to the Lord’s wide open arms while on this earth, I think those same words apply!  Don’t you agree?

 

This week I encourage you to think how “going home” applies in your life–whether you are bringing a newborn or child home for the first time, whether you need to turn back to the Lord’s open arms while on this earth, or whether you just need to be reminded to be prepared for going home for eternity.

 

Here is a song that I think is most fitting for my friend who met the Lord face to face for the first time this week….May it bless you too!  Click the title to take a listen~

Down in My Soul by Weston Skaggs

Lyrics:

Well, I heard about a mansion in the sky
Built for me in glory by and by
Ain’t no trace of wood or stone up there
We’ll walk on streets of gold
So I’m getting things ready down in my soul

Well I’m getting myself fitted for a robe
Cause when that trump sounds it’s time to go
To that peaceful shore
There’s pain no more
So I’m getting myself fitted for a robe

I’m going home
Take me home
Like a thief in the night
I’ll be gone
Cause when Jesus says alright
You know I’m gonna fly
So I’m getting things ready down in my soul

So stand with me out beside the gate
Cause when my Jesus calls my name
It’s your glory Lord that my heart soul longs for
So I’m getting things ready down in my soul

I’m going home
Take me home
Like a thief in the night
I’ll be gone
Cause when Jesus says alright
You know I’m gonna fly
So I’m getting things ready down in my soul

Getting things ready down in my soul….
Gonna have to get fitted for a robe
Getting things ready down in my soul

Ready, ready, ready….
Get ready, ready, ready
I’m gonna get ready, ready, get ready.
Get ready, get ready, I’m gonna get ready
Down in my soul

 

Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.   –Psalm 127:3  (CEV)

Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can’t make up your mind.  –James 4:8  (CEV)

There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.   –John 14:2  (CEV)