Pastor’s Corner: “Showing the Way Home”
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT) – 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
This Psalm captures the longing of the soul for home, and acknowledges the place of the soul’s bottom-line yearning: the home where God dwells. Psalm 84:1-4 – “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young–a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your home.”
Here on earth, Mom was home: Dad was our Rock, but mom was home. No matter where she was, we enjoyed familiar things, familiar smells (food), familiar sounds – hear her voice and laugh. Wherever she was, we could rest, relax, be refreshed and be ourselves. Home is not a place, it is a person (people). In thinking about my mom’s passing a year and a half later, I am reminded of John 14:1-5 (NLT) – Jesus, the Way to the Father – “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” The way home is not a map or direction, it is a person – Jesus. In verse 6 6 Jesus told them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Mom did leave the way home for us. Her life, (though not perfect) painted a beautiful picture of Jesus to show us the way. This was her best and most important work shown through her unconditional love, sacrifice, grace, forgiveness and courage. Mom was easy to love, even when she was being Spicy (as my sister Cammy likes to say – pretty good description). Not only was she easy to love, but she had a great capacity to love. You never had to earn or work for her love and acceptance. It was just there – always there, no matter what you did or how far away you wandered. She may have been disappointed, but we never questioned her love for us. She showed us the love of God, a picture of Jesus.
She had a way of making you feel like the most important & special person. When she answered the phone and heard your voice, she was always excited to here form you. I always thought this was just me. I thought I was the most important and the most special (youngest child) but to my disappointment I have come to find out she treated everyone this way. She was always genuinely excited to hear from you. You were valued and important. Just like God, we are valued, important and precious to Him. He wants to hear from us, wants to know our hearts and struggles. We are not overlooked in this world, not just a spec in this universe – we do not get lost in the crowd. Matthew 19:30 “But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”
I appreciate the courage & grace she showed us as she faced her last year of health struggles. On her last visit to Texas, she asked if I could baptize her (she had been baptized as a little girl). Later she told me she felt the Lord was preparing her for her last year – strengthening her to face what she faced. She had the most peace I had ever seen through the most physical struggles she had ever gone through. God helped her overcome the fear with peace and grace. On my last visit with her, I anointed her with oil and we served communion to each other (I will always be grateful for this beautiful time). My last prayer for mom was the day she passed and I asked Jesus to help her find the way home.
Mom – thank you for showing the way home
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton