Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is รขโฌยฆ Place.
The words come easy this morning as it seems like for the last year, all we have done is search for a place. Yes, it has been a physical search for a place for our kids to call “home” and it has not been easy nor fun.
I had a preconceived notion, as a mom, of all that place should include – windows (and lots of them), light, fresh air, the feeling of roominess, and comfort.
I knew I would know when it was the “right place” because the Lord would show me and it would be feel like coming home.
The words of Jesus filled my mind often during the yearlong search:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4, NLT)
Jesus Himself prepares a place for me, for us. He has been into building us the perfect place since He left this earth.
But the beautiful and wondrous thing I have been discovering this past year is He has a place for us here while we are on earth and He has a place for us when we move into eternity.
And that can only mean one thing …
Home – the very place where I dwell with Him.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Faith Filled Friday and Faith รขโฌหN Friends and Fresh Market Friday .
Joanne, I thought of our journey to find a home when I heard the word “place,” too. It can be so hard when you feel displaced, but when God finally shows us the place he’s prepared, it’s better than we could have hoped for. Praying for your family as you’re still in transition.
It is so true, Tara. God knows what we need and where we need to be. As we trust Him to guide us, He leads us to the place He has prepared. Thank you!
Hey, Joanne! God has our hearts on a similar path (and I didn’t even do five minutes friday!). I love that where God is, we are home! Have a great weekend! Visiting from Faint ‘N Friends.
Yes, I had read your post. God knows what we need to read ๐
Place is important, for sure, and when Jesus came to this planet, he was limited by time and space just as we are. So thankful for this reminder, Joanne, that He is preparing for us an ultimate place. The more funerals I attend and the more goodbyes I say here on earth, the more precious that future location becomes.
Michele, you raise such an important aspect of this – the longer we live, the more we realize the preciousness of life. There is a comfort to be found in knowing He has the ultimate place for us all to be together.
I love your use of writing prompts.
I agree not having that “place” can be disorienting. Being recently transplanted from the US to Uganda made me feel like I was completely starting over from SCRATCH. Slowly, God has shown me my place here too, but I am thankful for the reminder that my permanent place is being prepared in heaven!
Tiffany, I pray that God helps you to make the transition easily and that Uganda begins to feel “homey” for the time you are there. Blessings!
I do love coming over to your PLACE – oops did I just say that? It is such a great word today – I’m so glad you’ve arrived at a place of contentment. O mercy I did it again. xo
You are quite good with puns, Susan ๐
“Home – the very place I dwell with Him.” Beautiful. And Him, with us! Love this word prompt. Love your post. xoxoxo (Visiting from FMF)
Yes, and He with us. He makes His home with us while preparing a place for us. Grateful you shared!
Beautiful, Joanne. And I really like your graphic too! It’s exciting to consider what kind of place Jesus is custom-building for each one of us. I’m at the #40 spot at #fmf this week.
Thank you, Sarah. I love how the prompt can take us all in different directions yet they all come together.
One of the things I told Van when he questioned my desire to move to Arizona was it felt like home. I can’t explain why, but God has put that home feeling in my heart several times-not always for a place to live. The school district and school I worked in, the sorority I joined when I needed a place to make community at a big school as a student who commuted, churches we attended.
Debbie, you are so right. That “homey” feeling can apply to other places as well. I have felt it when looking for a church or feeling at home in a friendship. May you always feel at home in Arizona!
Love this!
You are so right. Home is where we dwell with Him. Love this post.
And He with us!
Almost went home to God about nine hours ago. That would have been OK.
But it’s also OK that I am still in this place; it means He still has stuff forme to do.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/08/your-dying-spouse-348-other-side-of-me.html
Andrew, I am grateful that you are still here with us and yes, that means there is still things God has for you to do. Praying for you and Barb!
I enjoyed my visit and your “place” and the encouragement I received here. Thanks for your inspiring post. ๐
Thank you for stopping by!