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Staying Home

By September 25, 2013August 30th, 2022Devotional

The travel is pretty much over, except for a day here and there. We’ve only been home about a week out of the last four, having travelled to Hawaii for our anniversary, and then two sad trips out east for the funerals of Janet’s folks. However, Janet and I agree that at the end of the day, there is no place like home – sleeping in our own bed, being close to most of our nuclear family, dining at familiar places, making an impact with the clients I serve and connecting with our home church.

I know there are many people who lead hectic lives and love the excitement of visiting new places, but Janet and I are more like home bodies. And I am sure that many people could get sick and tired of each other if they spent as much time together as Janet and I do. But we love it – and yes, I’m speaking for both of us. We like the same things, have the same value systems, share a strong God-centered faith and know each other so well that there really aren’t any surprises in our lives. Sounds boring, doesn’t it?

We get our satisfaction from the knowledge that we try to be great parents, good influences in the community, helpful whenever we can and devoted followers of Jesus Christ. I think in the early days, we lived life a little differently. Maybe some of the difference is a matter of age, but I don’t think so. I think we are more content with our position in life.

The important things – such as faith, love, hope, peace, joy and contentment are the drivers we tend to measure our lives by these days. And we find these things at home. In fact, when we bought our home more than 12 years ago, we dedicated it to the service of God before we ever moved in. For many of those years, we have had Bible studies, conducted pre-marital counseling, career transition care for people in crisis and many other ministry oinitiatives. It’s almost woven into the fabric of our lives.

Sure enough, most evenings, Janet and I sit together – me writing my post and Janet sitting with Lexie, our female Dobe. And in those times, all is right with the world. The verse for tonight is from Phil. 4:11-12, Paul’s comments on contentment. He tells us, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Now I don’t want you to think that we have mastered this the way Paul apparently did. Recently, our lives have been filled with change – the loss of loved ones and the spending of so much time with the family. Bittersweet moments to say the least. My encouragement this evening is that God will calm your heart and allow you to find contentment if you will embrace Him and follow His commands. My prayer is that you will trust the Lord enough to give it a try – even when it hurts beyond words. Because eventually, you will find peace, joy and all things good – probably right at home, at long as you have made God an indispensable part of your life. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

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