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Listen while you read: "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"1 (Lyrics) |
Approximately eight years ago, my father passed away. My mother, who lived two houses down from our place, did not want to stay by herself any longer. She asked us whether we would consider moving in with her if she found a place with a granny apartment. I talked it over with my husband, and he agreed that moving in together would be a great idea.
The first place that our real estate agent showed us was the place that we are living in now. We have the best of both worlds. Looking out from our living room, dining room, and kitchen windows, we have a beautiful view of Penetanguishene Bay. Mom has the same view from her granny apartment. In the back of the house, there is forest. On the back deck, we can sit and listen to the birds chirping in the bush and get some relief from the sun. It has been six years since we sold our respective homes and moved here. Mom is alone, yet not alone, because we live upstairs. She has her own entrance, as well as a walk-out patio. All three of us like living in our new home, and we agree that it was the best move that we ever made. It is only a three-minute drive into town, whereas before, it took us half an hour.
The other day, my daughter Cindy and her family came over for dinner. She remarked how she felt that this place did not feel permanent; she still feels an attachment to the old place where she grew up. I told her that I agree with her. This place, this home, even this world, is not our permanent home; in reality, it is temporary. As the Bible says:
Hebrews 13:14 – For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (NLT)
1 Peter 2:11 – Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. (MSG)
John 14:2-3 – In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)
Let us remember that our homes are only temporary abodes here on earth and that we, who believe, have a permanent home yet to come some day with Jesus.
Prayer: Lord God, help us to remember that our home here on earth is not our permanent home, but only a temporary dwelling place. May we be mindful of others who do not yet know about their eternal home, and guide us to share Your promise of a home in heaven. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts and understanding with us.
Thanks for sharing Rosemary. Always a good thing to remember.
Sounds like a good temporary arrangement, and thanks for the reminder that this isn’t our permanent dwelling place. Blessings to you all.
Rosemary, thank you for sharing this devotional with us. It’s good to remember that we’re strangers here since Heaven is our home … as the old Gospel hymn says. Blessings.
Sounds like a beautiful spot. Isn’t it amazing how each season of our life we are blessed by where we live and yet some day we will live in an even more beautiful place called heaven.
Good word today Rosemary. My mom in law lived with us in a granny suite for many years as well. What a privilege and joy!
Blessings.
Dear Rosemary,
This is a beautiful devotional with its reassuring scripture. Thank you.
Keep writing.
Another interesting and thought provoking message Rosemary. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings on your day today.
(Ontario)
Thank you, Rosemary. There are so many beautiful spots in Simcoe County and obviously, you folks have found one of them. God’s blessings on your Mother. My husband died a few years ago but I’m close enough to my three children and families to be content here. We all find our way under His care and direction when we’ve been blessed so mightily to have known Him for many years.
And – God bless you!
Thanks for the reminder that this home is temporary.
I live alone in my home that I shared with my late husband for over 40 years.
I love my home where we raised our family, entertain and feel safe.
However, as age creeps up, I think I have to “deal with” so many things that give me pleasure.
Books, projects, letters, …
Praying God will give me the grace to do this while He still has given me strength and presence of mind to do that.
Hi Rosy,
Thank you for writing about our temporary homes. We moved around a lot years ago, and it was always a time to look forward to a new place, a new country. There was always the concern about a decent place to live. But at the end of our lives here, as you say we are assured of our heavenly home.
Blessings.