Welcome Home

Just this morning in the pre-dawn darkness, I hugged my son and daughter-in-law goodbye for a long journey to South America. Their car will stay in front of our house while traveling, and I have been enlisted for some cat-sitting. I won’t forget that they are gone. This trip involves many conveyances and sections of travel. I am praying for their safety and looking forward to their return home in 11 days. There is always a bit of anxiety concerning unknown outcomes. I anticipate great contentment at seeing them again.

Videos of military homecomings and reunions have become a big hit on the Internet. I am especially fond of one in which a gigantic Great Dane dog sees its owner after months of separation. I am moved to a sense of joy each time I see one of these military reunions. There is even a blog site dedicated to the videos, in case you need a good cry. I am also reminded of several of my neighbor families who have sons serving in faraway places.

Reunions

I believe we viewers can easily see ourselves in the YouTube reunions. I’m either relating to a parent or a child being reunited with my precious family member. As I get older, the thought of family reunions holds even more promise. However, going “home” on this planet doesn’t always fulfill our expectations—so many changes with time.

One of my favorite Christian songs for years was “Welcome Home, Children.” A former worship leader and musician used to sing that, and I thrill to hear it each time. I used to believe I would request that song for my own funeral! My heart yearns to hear my Savior welcome me home to the place where I really belong—safe in His presence surrounded by all the saints and missing loved ones. No more homesickness for anyone.

“And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:17, 18, NIV).

Questions for personal journaling or group discussion:

1. When you think of “home,” where and what do you envision? Can you still go there?

2. How do you respond to the thought that our joys at reunions are to remind us of Jesus’ desire to reunite with us?

If you liked this, you might also enjoy The New Earth | Why the Church Needs a Family Reunion

Karen Spruill writes from Orlando, Florida.

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