Morning Moments

Buble sings, "Another sunny day has come and gone away in Paris and Rome, but I wanna go home."

For the past few days this song has rung in my mind as I traveled. God has been so wonderful to me through the years. He has allowed me to experience different cultures from around the world.

I have slept in 5 star hotels and on dirt floors; eaten in the some of the world's finest restaurants and in places where I was not sure if I would live through the meal. I have had money and I have been broke. I have been a giver and a receiver, a leader and a follower BUT -

I can never get past the memory of what travels through my senses to my spirit. I can never get out of my system the gnawing need of every human being, whether rich or poor, educated or ignorant, wealthy or poor, the need for JESUS.

While in India, I was overtaken with swelling and very painful feet to such an extent that I had to be helped to walk as long as I could, then wheel chaired from place to place, airport to airport. At home was a waiting and praying wife. With me was a team of caring and compassionate people who massaged my feet and back and a family in India who cared so much about my condition.

I was always the strong one. The leader. The one upon whom others depended. But that has all changed in the aging process. It is not easy for me, but I have learned an important lesson that I wish I had learned a long time ago.

Whatever our condition, there is a Companion! Sometimes the skin is brown, sometimes black, sometimes yellow, sometimes mixed. At times the Companion appears with the wide open eyes of a child, thrilled at the prospect of a piece of candy. At other times the Companion is in a nice suit with probing questions regarding my journey and my purpose. Sometimes a woman; sometimes a man; sometimes a child, but always with eye that seem to penetrate my soul and help me see that "life does not consist in the abundance of things," but it does consist of the abounding grace of a loving Shepherd who, as gently as possible leads us along the trail; across mountains, through valleys, in sunshine and rain and hail and snow to that very special place called "home." AND "home is where the heart is."

I love my wife, my children, my church, my Christian community, but I LOVE all the people in all the places of the world He has allowed me to go. If none of this makes sense to you, it's okay. I'm glad to be home BUT I am surely glad I went. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making it possible, and thank You, Father, that you are not as concerned with where we are from as You are with where we are going.