When I awoke this morning, I realized that I had been dreaming about three of my Aunts who are no longer living. In my dream they were preparing for a family reunion. They were in their element…cooking waaaay too much food and fussing over where the desserts should be placed. The dream took me back to sweet times… lots of food, family and a sense of belonging and love.
Saying goodbye is hard stuff. We buried the last two of my Daddy’s remaining siblings within a two-week period just over a year ago. At times I still grieve their absence from this earth. It feels strange to live in a world without them, my grandparents and my Daddy. Growing up, I knew my Daddy’s brothers and sisters well. A wild and crazy bunch we all were. Being the only granddaughter on my Mom’s side had its definite perks, but being one of (what seemed like) dozens of cousins on Daddy’s side was awesome! There were more boys than girls, at least around my age, and that suited me just fine…I never had a problem keeping up with the boys. Cousins are great, but there is something extra special about the love I have experienced from aunts and uncles throughout my lifetime. Shout out to my Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Don (my Mom’s brother) who helped raise me there for a few years. I am so grateful!
A while back, our church family enjoyed a sermon series called “Life after Life”. The Bible has a lot to say about what is to come after life on this earth, and our Pastors did a great job with a mysterious and difficult subject. Way to bring the Word, Pastors! Not meaning to sound morbid here, but I find myself OFTEN longing for that life after life. Perhaps even feeling jealous of those who have gone on before me. I long to be free of my sinful self, wanting to see loved ones who have gone before me and wishing for the peace that only God can give.
There is nothing wrong with longing for home. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have so much to look forward to! Sometimes that is the only thing that makes days on this crazy earth bearable. With a world-wide pandemic causing sickness, fear and death, being home with Jesus sounds better all the time.
But This I Know…
While we are here, the most important things are Loving God and Loving People.
What does that have to do with “Longing for Home”?
It is said that it is better to attend a funeral than a wedding. Obviously, one should occasionally reflect on their own mortality. What will people say about us at our funeral? Personally, I hope that folks will say “Cheryl had a strong Trust in her heavenly Father”. “She was FAR from perfect, but she basked in the mercy, grace and forgiveness given to her by Jesus and she trusted Him with everyone and everything in her life.” I hope they can truthfully say that loving God and loving people was my life’s goal.
Thankfully, I had some great examples of how to love God and love others. I miss you Aunt Mattie, Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Pat…it was special seeing you in my dream.
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