Transitioning Home

Jesus said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:2

Jesus said, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:2

Each month, I gather with my siblings to share food, conversation, and memories.  It is a privilege to hear stories of childhood from a different perspective and what happened before I was born or have memories.  Life changes, but the memories remain.  I have been back in my hometown for a year and am settled in my home, but my ministry heart is still transitioning back home.  My heart is still connected to people in previous ministries especially those who are transitioning from this world to the next place. 

Transitioning takes time.  My desire is to connect with the people of my community and visit those who have been part of my childhood and family.  My life has been filled with change and establishing relationships wherever God puts me.  It takes time to close one chapter before you open the next.  All the chapters of our lives form the book of our lives, and each chapter is needed to create the foundation of who we are.  When I receive a call from people of previous chapters of my life, my heart recalls the connection, and God calls me to step back into their lives.

This past week, I spent the afternoon with Ed and his daughter, Beth.  I have known them for years.  Ed is beginning the transition from this world.  It has been a slow transition over the past three years.  Ed knows his wife’s final wish before she went to Heaven was that he would join her someday in Heaven.  Being an engineer, Ed could never take the leap of faith and believe what he could not prove.  Over the past years, I have spent time talking with Ed about God and God’s love for him.  He has always accepted my prayers but never gave his heart to Jesus.

A few months ago, Ed started saying my name.  I visited him, and again we talked about Heaven and his next steps.  Ed was open to hearing but never taking the step.  So last week, when I visited Ed, he had declined, and it was obvious that he was beginning the process of change, and he knew it.  He wanted to say goodbye to his other two children and to thank them, so his daughter made the calls.  Then, God touched Ed’s heart.  As I talked with him about Jesus and that God loved him and had a place for him in heaven, Ed said for the first time, “I love Jesus.”  “Thank you, Jesus.”  Over and over, Ed said this with a tear coming out of his left eye.  For the first time in Ed’s life, he confessed his faith in simple childlike trust and words. Ed is transitioning to his heavenly home.  It took him three years to get to this surrender, but he will have eternity to live it out.

A friend sold the home that she lived in with her husband who died almost two years ago.  She lives in a condo now that does not feel like home.  We talked about it being her transition home – a place to live as she adjusts to her life without her husband.  It may become a place of comfort, or she may move again.  It is all temporary because she knows she has a permanent place awaiting her someday in Heaven.

To transition is to change.  It is a process.  We all transition throughout the stages and seasons of life.  We transition also emotionally and spiritually.  We change and grow, and we release and let go.  Grief is a process of change.  We are different because of loss and recognize love never dies.  Those we love are part of who we are, and they go with us the rest of our lives in our hearts.  Their spirit and energy remains a part of those with whom they loved.

Disease and illness brings change to our normal routine and our future plans.  My friend is going through cancer treatments, and her body is becoming weaker.  It is a struggle to eat and swallow.  Her desire is for healing and to glorify God in the journey.  She is teaching me to pray on my knees and give it all to God.  It is being honest with my desire for her to be healed on earth and to be restored to wholeness.  My prayers are transitioning to giving my friend to Jesus and trusting God has her.

Through all the transitioning and changes, I am understanding that home is being with Jesus.  I am not talking about just being with Jesus in Heaven which is our ultimate home but being home with Jesus in our hearts.  Our focus daily is being in the presence of Jesus and taking his hand and walking through the struggles of life.  It is changing our focus from the world and the anxiety and problems and allowing the things of this world to grow dim in the light of Jesus’ presence.  Be home not in the struggles and difficulties of life but be home with Jesus.  Home is where you feel comfortable, safe, and secure.  It is where you want to go and rest and just be yourself.  When we are home with Jesus on earth, then when it is time to transition home to heaven it will be a natural transition. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Be home with him now.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and peace.”

*****************************************************************************

Check out my newspaper columns on my website along with my books and past blogs.