Daily Devotional

August 2nd, 2024
by Karon Cecy

WELCOME HOME!

I Thessalonians 4:14-18 “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

She fell into my arms. We both wept tears of joy. It had been about 25 years since our foster daughter was taken from our home. With a big bear hug, my husband Jim exclaimed, “There’s my girl, welcome home! We were introduced to her husband, who we liked immediately, and two delightful children. What a homecoming! Reminiscing, our foster daughter declared, “I remember this dining room table.” “That’s the same bunkbed I slept in.” On and on throughout the house. I will never forget her comment that the years spent with us were the best of her childhood years.

Our trip down memory lane continued as I poured a pile of pictures on the table. I had been saving these pictures for her hoping I would see her again one day. Displayed before her were school pictures, family fun times, childhood friends. She was elated to have so many pictures of the three years she lived with us. She did not have an easy childhood. I remember telling her when she was young, “You get to choose the kind of person you will be.” I could see she had chosen well as an adult. I told her how very proud of her I was. She expressed to us her commitment to give her children a better life than she experienced. Together with her husband they were seeking to give their children a loving family experience and faith in God.

When the time came to say goodbye, we knew it was not a forever goodbye. We would see each other again and pick up where we left off. What a blessing. After this emotionally charged reunion, I could not help but think of the glorious day when we will experience the ultimate homecoming…when we enter into heaven. I look forward to embracing my dear sister and my four children. Who do you look forward to seeing in heaven? The best thought of all is that we will live forever with God in heaven. That is our forever home. We cannot even fathom the beauty of our forever home. Imagine the absence of sin and suffering. A home of safety and peace.

Home with God…forever!

FOR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS and TEACHERS:

Converse with your kids about the meaning of the word “homecoming.” Give examples of homecoming such as coming back from Kids Camp. How did it make them feel?
Teach them of the forever home in heaven being prepared for all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Talk about the splendor and beauty. The presence of God.
Revelations 21 and 22.

Email Karon Cecy

Posted in Daily Devotionals
Posted in Karon Cecy