GOIN' HOME

There’s a Contemporary Christian song out now by Daughtry, called “Home.” One of the lines is, “I’m going to the place where love and feeling good don’t ever cost a thing.” I like that line. You see, I went “home” to Wisconsin in September to see family and friends – “where love doesn’t ever cost a thing.” Life is simple there, uncomplicated, relaxed, and uncluttered. My roots are there. I left when I was 38 years old and Arizona is now my home of choice. But my “home” will always be in Wisconsin because my history is there. I was molded there by parents who loved me. I was married there. I had children there - watched them grow. My Christian life began there. Love comes easily there, without cost. I am loved for who I am – not what I have acquired or what I look like. It is always instant acceptability – I am welcomed with open arms.

Isn’t that how Jesus loves us? He instantly accepts us with all our flaws, all our weaknesses, and all our sins. His love never costs a thing. We can be who we are, as He made us. He loves the person we are – AS IS. We may have pasts that haunt us; we may have hurts that have never healed. We may have lost loved ones and have struggled to survive without them, inconsolable. We may rise up in anger at times and rail against circumstances, shaking our fists at the heavens, crying, “Why me, Lord? Why?” We may be so lost at times that no one can reach us. But there is the Lord, holding out His hands, willing to meet us wherever we are. There’s another song I love called, “God Ran.” I believe He runs after us as we deviate from His chosen path for us. He runs to us as we stray. He runs to be by our side when we weep, to comfort us as we mourn. He runs to us with His spirit as we pray. He runs to us, delighting in our laughter. His love for us is simple, uncomplicated, all encompassing and all accepting. He opens His arms and enfolds us, saying, “Welcome home.” Thank you, Father.

“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17b-18

MY DANCE, MY DANCE TO COME

I have strange dreams. Sometimes I’m cognizant of them, other times not. This dream is so fresh and vivid – I remember every detail. I dreamed I was in a large hall with lots of people sitting around. It reminded me of our pot luck dinners in the basement of my home church in Wisconsin. Slowly, this spry-looking older man turned to me. It was my Grandpa Sime, whom I had sung hymns to in the hours before he died. My dear, wonderful, witty, slightly raunchy, child-loving, tobacco-chewing Grandpa Sime, but younger, healthier - glowing, in fact.

I threw myself into his arms, sobbing my joy into his now smooth, non-leathery neck. He just held me – for a long time. Then, almost imperceptibly, he began to move with me in his arms. I realized we were dancing, slowly, elegantly, beautifully. All else faded away. It was just Grandpa and me. I heard no music, but we were completely on beat. My tears died in the magic of the moment. Now, Grandpa was not known as a dancer, except for juggling children on his knee in “horsey rides,” and swinging us around in his arms while he sang a little Norwegian ditty. But this same Grandpa guided me as smoothly as Baryshnikov might have. Slowly the dream faded away, but recalling it the next morning brought me again to tears, and, with it, euphoria after experiencing such a magical moment. I had danced with my Grandpa.

I believe I will feel the same way, only exemplified, when I meet my Lord Jesus in heaven. I believe I will sob with joy at seeing his face. He will take me in his arms and gently hold me -my tears will be wiped away. And then we will move, in a heavenly, stately dance. There will be music this time; there will be saints around us, including Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad and other loved ones who have gone before. My tears will dry and the euphoria will be greater and for all eternity. I will have danced with Jesus.

“Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13