Gone Ahead To Our True Home

Gone Ahead To Our True Home

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Isaiah 43:2-3

Gerald and Alice had moved more times when it wasn’t their choice than anyone should ever have to.

In 2010, they survived the Tennessee flood but lost their house and everything in it. They were thankful that their lives had been spared, but they faced an uncertain future with only the clothes on their backs.

They worked hard and managed to scrape together enough money to buy a doublewide trailer, which they parked on the site of their former house. They were proud of their new place and once again felt at home.

But then tragedy struck again.

One night while Gerald and Alice were sleeping, a fire started in a back room. It swept through the mobile home into their bedroom and ignited an oxygen tank that assisted Gerald’s breathing. Miraculously, they escaped unharmed; though, once again they had only the clothes on their backs—the pajamas they were wearing that night.

A few months later, Habitat for Humanity provided them with a new house on a new lot where they could start fresh. But their time together didn’t last long. Not long after they moved into their new home, Gerald’s health problems, which he had battled for so many years, finally took his life.

When Alice came in to see me, I wasn’t surprised that she was burdened with sadness. But then she told me about Gerald’s last few days.

“He told me that God was truly God, and he was thankful because God had spared us from so much. I agree. We’ve been blessed.”

Once again, I marveled at her strength and the strength of her faith. “How are you doing now that he’s gone?” I asked.

“He’s not gone,” Alice said. “He’s just up ahead, and I know where he is. He’s in heaven. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s helping Jesus prepare our forever home.”

TODAY’S RX

Beyond every disaster here on earth, God is ready to repair what is broken.

Father, your arms are a safe shelter. May I always run to them in times of need.