Tomorrow morning, very early, I will board a plane. That marvelous wonder--a result of God's endowment of intelligence to mankind--will take me to Atlanta, GA., and from there to Raleigh, N.C. From the Tarheel State I'll head to the Commonwealth of Virginia aboard either a minivan or a Stratus, depending on who meets me at the gate. Either way, the familiar Interstate 85 will lead us to my homeplace, Dinwiddie County. You must imagine the thoughts in my head as I prepare my suitcase to visit the beautiful countryside of southeastern Virginia. I admit that the thought of opening Mom and Dad's front door and taking in the familiar smell of the living room, staring at the yellow kitchen sink that always looks so odd after being away for a spell, and experiencing the peacefulness of "home" has me quite excited. But, for the first time in my life, I will walk through the doors as a different woman with a different name.
Angel and I, Lord willing, will celebrate our first anniversary in a few weeks. What a marvelous year we've had! Yes, we have gone through most of the things they say newlyweds experience and we have learned quite a bit. But, we've rarely been apart. So, while this trip will take me back to my childhood home, my new home will await my return. This has been quite a journey for me! You see, many years ago I declared to my parents that no matter what, "I, Greta, will never ever leave this house!" I always was a homebody and a bit of a Mama's girl. And then came the decision to allow Christ to have all of me. No longer Peggy's girl, entirely, or Gus's "Pumpkin," completely, but Christ's disciple, God's child. And so when He said "Mexico!" I replied, "Mexico!" And here I live with my husband. So now, when I say, "I'll go home on such and such a day," I mean I'll go back to Mexico! So while the excitement of seeing my parents and my siblings and my adorable nephews and neice has me ready to go, the mixed feelings of having to leave my home have me quite confused! What a new experience for me! Will I cry when I leave Angel at the gate? Will I cry when I arrive in Raleigh, or even more in Dinwiddie? Will I cry yet again when I board the return plane...and then one more time when I get through the immigration line to see my husband once more? I don't know, but how can home be where the heart is when there are two homes and only one heart?
As I write, I must confess that the still, quiet voice keeps saying, "Neither one of those places is home. Your home is with Me, and while you're on this journey of eartlhy life, I'll lead you and provide for you and I will take all of those feelings of joy, confusion, fear, and adoration and use them to mold you into what I want you to be. Trust Me and go." I have to admit, allowing His voice to quiet my own voice in my head allows me to prepare and pack the suitcase more calmly. You see, wherever I go, He's there and He's already planned the trip for me. I'll just show up with my ticket and say, "I'm ready!" And I'll enjoy the ride.
Home is where the heart is!
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Wow, Greta. You would not BELIEVE how much that post ministred to me this morning. You are such an incredible blessing! I miss you...we need to chat sometime soon!
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