August 5, 2018
Doing the Dailies
Home-Hearted People…
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7
In order to experience God’s Best for my life and the lives of my precious ones, I must trust Him and allow Him to turn the page…
This is the time of year which is most likely a paradox in the hearts of moms, dads and their precious ones. It is the time when a new chapter is welcomed into the lives of children and their parents, all ages and all stages. For many, it is the first day of preschool, of kindergarten, first grade, middle school, high school…And for others, it is the day when you slip into cars carefully loaded with furnishings for the dormitory life of college. And, for some of us, we watch and remember.
Whether you are packing a small back-pack and lunch-kit, or cardboard boxes for a move, each child is most likely packing with a Home-Hearted intention…Hmmmm-like a child. Oh, that sounds familiar. As parents, it is important and encouraging to know that the seeds of HOME are planted in the hearts of our children, our grands, and in our hearts as well.
The Seeds of Home
Today, I visited a dear friend who had some cardboard boxes stacked in the corners of her home, boxes waiting to be moved and relocated to a college campus. But before I entered her home and saw the evidence of her college bound son, I was greeted by the words on a wooden sign, hanging outside her front door…The sign bore this message:
You Belong Here….Welcome Home.
I quickly ran through some memories of moving our two children into their college worlds…And the moments of their first days of high school, of middle school, of homeschool when I gave myself a massive headache trying to over-prepare. And, the first time I dropped them off for pre-school…then kindergarten, and the tears which found their way into my eyes, then, camped out in my heart. As thrilled as they were for their new adventure and for the excitement of turning a page in their lives, the Home-Hearted Smiles on their little faces carried me through the day…
I discovered through the years and the many turned pages in our family life, as new chapters are still being written, we all are called to live as Home-Hearted people. We, as the parents and grands are responsible to and have the blessing of establishing and maintaining a household and home culture, which exemplifies the sign hanging on my friend’s front porch.
My friend had planted the Seeds of Home and watered them daily. Today, whether it is her child coming through the door, a family member, or a friend, like me, the message on her sign reminds each guest, each person that they have a place there and that they are welcome to bring their lives, just as they are, into her home. I know her family and they live with Home-Hearted Smiles, because they know they belong and are welcome…They are Home! Yes, I want my home to radiate that message!
Home-Hearted People
When we live as Home-Hearted people, not only do we thrill at the sight of our precious ones walking through the door, HOME, from high school, middle school, first grade, or, the college child who has been away for a while… but our children are thrilled and relieved to be home…HOME. Home, where they know they belong, are valued, cherished and unconditionally loved. And, guests have the same experience…Home-Hearted People and their Home-Hearted Smiles!
Home-Hearted Expectation
My friends, as you know, summer will come to a close in just a few weeks, and you and your family will begin the new chapter God is writing for you and your precious ones. I pray you and I continue to Do the Dailies and Come to His Table to experience moments with our Heavenly Father, sitting with Him, in His Presence, reassured of His faithfulness, of His perfect Love, His Grace and His Mercy.
And, we come with the Home-Hearted expectations our Creator placed in our hearts. As we thank God for His gift of family and celebrate our homes here on earth, we yearn for and have the confidence of a Permanent Home…a Home where His daughters and His sons belong for eternity, in His perfect Time.
May we remember each day, our homes are training grounds as we prepare for our Heavenly Home. Sometimes, I imagine this Home…I cannot help but think that there just might be a sign resembling the one on my friend’s beautiful and welcoming porch. Perhaps it will be written in our Father’s Handwriting…
My Child, You Belong Here…
Welcome Home,
Your Heavenly Father
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14
In order to experience God’s Best for my life and the lives of my precious ones, we must trust Him and allow Him to turn the page…and, together, we will live as Home-Hearted People!
Love you in Jesus,
P.S. Remember as you drop your precious ones off for their first days in their new chapter, watch for their Home-Hearted Smiles, and carry them in your heart. Then, celebrate your precious ones as they walk through the door… They are home!
