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Listen while you read: "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"1 (Lyrics) |
John 14:1-3 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (NRSV)
I have cherished memories from my earliest days, memories I return to more often the older I get. One of the greatest treats of childhood was taking the train from Summerside to Coleman on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The train was magical, but what awaited us at the train stop was even more so. As the train halted for the minute or two it took us to get off, we could see in the distance a horse and sled driven by my Uncle Lawson. He had just driven through the woods from the Brae nearby, which was our destination for the day. Much begging on my part had him agree I could take the reins for the trip home. My uncle turned to my apprehensive mother and said, "Don't worry, the horse knows the way home."
Decades later, the memory still warms a winter's day. What warms my heart even more is the assurance that I have One Who knows the way home and promises to get me there safely. I don't need to be troubled or worried about getting lost. I often think I have the reins in my hands and everything is up to me, but, just like my uncle smiled at my confidence that I was in control, Jesus has a smile or two for me and for you as He reminds us that He knows the way, that He is the Way.
2 Corinthians 5:1 – For we know that if the tent, our earthly home, is torn down, we have a building from God — a home not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. (TLV)
Prayer: God, even the word "home" resonates with us as we consider its deeper meaning in our lives, the importance of belonging, of welcome, of family. We are grateful that our final home is in Your love, for that is where our hearts are. So, we ask that our hearts be not troubled today as we travel toward home. Amen.
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." – Maya Angelou
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Thanks, Kenn, for the comforting words.
Thanks Kenn, blessings to you and your family.
Great story and encouragement, thanks Kenn!
Wonderful as He is wonderful Kenn! Blessings.
Sending greetings from a friend in your memory file. Good old days.
Beautiful meditation. I, too, have known horses who knew the way home.
Such a beautiful picture, and such very comforting thoughts. Thank you.
Thank you, Kenn. What a lovely story and example of our relationship with Christ.
Thank you Kenn. This is a lovely message.
Blessings.
Your message today is beautiful, thank you! God bless.
(On)
Thanks very much. This piece is a great place to begin my day. What a lovely memory!
Kenneth
Thank you, kind sir, for your simple, direct, and kindhearted message this morning. God is by our side, always near.
Great analogy Kenn.
Thanks.
Blessings,
(BC)
What a lovely picture you painted of this unique memory. A very special uncle and strong family. Bless you Kenn for directing us to our heavenly home,
(BC)
Hi Kenn,
I enjoyed your writing. Some of my relatives also came from the Brae, it is a small world.
Thank-you.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
I appreciate your way of writing.
Your way of reminding me.
Of God’s love.
Blessings.
How apt your words, thanks. I am probably wrong to think that there were some years in the dark ages which weren’t exceptional years. That leaves us to know that Christ has spoken to everyone in every age and His truth is our core.
(ON)
Thank you for today’s devotional, Kenn!
Jesus is the way!
“Jesus has a smile or two for me and for you as He reminds us that He knows the way, that He is the Way.”
Amen.
Thank you for this devotional. As we age, we do indeed wonder what is ahead. Not so much of heaven – we know that we will be welcomed there, but the time between now and when we are finally welcomed into our Father’s house. This devotional was just what I NEEDED TO READ TODAY.
Bless you for the peace you have given me.
Kenn, your memories are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with all the PresbyCan readers. The older I get, the more excited I am at the anticipation of arriving at my heavenly home prepared for me by my Father and Brother. Since I don’t know how the “trip” will go, I will have the Holy Spirit Escort through any and all the hard parts. Thank you Kenn, for stimulating these thoughts this morning.
Good morning Kenn,
I enjoyed your memory of having the reins of the horse and sled travelling through the snow to the Brae. It is true that as we grow older, we have more memories of the past. The promise that God has prepared a home for all of us in heaven is the hope of Christians which we all cherish. As I join in your prayer this morning, I feel the love of God surround me. Thanks for sharing from your heart. Blessings.
Hi Kenn,
How wonderful it was to read your devotional this morning. Thank-you. It was what I needed to hear, and your telling of the story was perfect.
I was thinking about you recently and hoping there would be another devotional from you soon. I always appreciate your writings and I expect the other readers do as well.
I hope you and your family are well and the winter is going alright for you.
Peace and blessings.
Greetings Kenn and many thanks for your devotional today. It was heartwarming reading about your delightful childhood experience to “take over the reins” of the horse. I was surprised to see the name “Coleman” as I didn’t know there was a place of that name other than Coleman in Southern Alberta. Your words are so true and reassuring that when we have Jesus in our lives, He is the one who has the “reins” to show us the right way home. His ways are definitely the best ways for our daily life. Blessings for your very special writing.
Hello Kenneth,
God works in mysterious ways to bring us comfort and to remind us He is always beside us.
Last Friday night after a very brief illness my Twin Brother died. It was a gentle passing from this earth into the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Your devotion today has brought me comfort and peace. Even though the tears fall I can rejoice knowing The storms are past and he’s found a Safe Haven.
Thank you.
Good morning, Kenn.
Good to see your writing once again!!!
I have memories like you have described of my Dad’s family farm. We would bother my uncle until he hitched up the horses to a sleigh and he would also attach an old bobsled and flying saucer behind the sleigh. Out over the fields we’d go!! What a wonderful memory!! We’d get tipped of the bobsled and get left behind and would run to catch up.
It is probably too dangerous an activity for a parent to think of for a child today, but we loved it!!!
Hi Kenn,
How nice to read your message this morning! I was wondering recently if you had given up writing devotions.
So true that “Home” resonates for all of us. My close friend lost her youngest daughter after a short battle with cancer. We had funerals for 3 ladies last week. Surely all of these ladies are at Home but they have left a huge void in our Church Family. Never before do any of us remember having funerals 3 days in a row.
Thank you for your reassuring message.
Blessings.
God bless you for this devotional.
In Nigeria we have a saying in pidgin English, “Follow who know Road”. Jesus is that person that knows the road and I am most grateful to Him for creating an eternal home of rest for us.
Good morning Kenn,
Thank you so much for sharing that devotional. It comes at a time when it has extra meaning and reassurance, along with the words of the Hymn, which I love.
My mom passed away recently, and many times I responded to those who sent condolences that my mom had now gone ‘Home’. I have felt the blessing of having a faithful mom and knowing she is now with Jesus in her new ‘room’ prepared for her.
It always brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart to know that other Christians share the knowledge that the word ‘Home’ has so much more meaning when we trust and live in the hope of our Lord.
Blessings.