“Home is where you are, Honey!”
I'm really enjoying writing “Mimi's Journey,” the story of my wife. “. . . We spend our years as a tale that is told.” Ps.90:9 kjv And Minnie's story was a good one! When we fell in love and were married (in 1955), we adopted as our “life verse” for our marriage Ephesians 3:20-21, “He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. . . .” That was borne out in so many ways in the 54 years we were married, even in the tremendously difficult tests of her last three years, the Lord showed Himself sufficient to meet all trials He brought our way and gave her (and me) a deep peace, joy in the midst of sorrow, and a very deep love from God for each other.
Presently I'm finishing writing the chapter on our three years at Christ's College in Taipei, from 1995-1998, and the memories flood back. And I think of the many, many places in the world that the Lord took us at different times in our lives: many places in the U.S. and Canada and Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Europe—3 times, Israel, Jordan, Istanbul, Dubuy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia 4 times, New Zealand. And I can remember that we got tired and wanted to go home and sometimes I would tell Minnie, “Home is where you are, Honey!” And she would smile and agree. I always felt such a warm sense of security just being with her and she felt the same way.
But that teaches me something very important. We weren't created to live forever in this world. We were created for another world. “We wish to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal [or subject to death] may be swallowed up by life [real life, eternal life]. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose.” 2 Cor. 5:4-5 niv We think of the glories of heaven. I particularly am glad it is a Paradise, the most lovely garden imaginable. And it is also a Celestial City—though I prefer the garden! But the most important part of heaven is being with the Lord and having fellowship with Him. Minnie and I saw so-o-o many beautiful places in Switzerland, in Germany, in Canada, and in California and Washington State, and an important part of our enjoyment was sharing it with each other.
It will be something like that in heaven when we do share with our loved ones, but more particularly with the Lord Himself and come to love Him truly with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray that your relationship with your loved ones will reflect that closeness of sharing that we have with the Lord, “Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8 So the reality is that “Home is where the Lord is!”
I'll let you know when I finish that very interesting chapter on Christ's College. So far it's 22,000 words and 78 pictures (downsized). I can send it .pdf by e-mail or mail you a CD or flash drive. The attachment is 9.1 MB.
Love in our Lord,
Pastor Burnside
