Going Home

Experience has shown me that you can't really go "home". But, Jannie and I are going to visit her mother in the Netherlands. Some things will remain the same. The beautiful church which was built in the 1100's will welcome me with the same charm that it did 30 years ago. The city hall was built in the 1300's, the Plague was going through Europe at that time...that will look the same.
I think going to the family home will be emotional. The last time I was there was for the funeral of my friend and father-in-law. I suspect my grieving was put on hold with my quick removal from all those familiar sights, sounds, and smells. It will seem very odd indeed to be "home" and not hear the laughter of my friend.
Some people never get to go home. Daniel was taken into captivity when he was a young man and never went home. Joseph was sold into slavery and didn't go home. Moses was born in Egypt, went back as an old man and didn't find it to be a charming place anymore.
The Good Book speaks about longing for home, but not a home made with human hands. Home is where our Lord and Savior is. My mother, and father-in-law ( I prefer to call him 'my friend'), are there with Jesus. While I am in Holland, I plan to develop a sermon outline on "Going Home", a citizens guide to Heaven. I am looking forward to that study.
May God bless us with rest, and re-fresh us for our work back here.