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A faithful presence of love in the absences of our city.

Heaven is Our Home

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Heavenis OurHome

Every weekday around 5pm, my daughter Isla and I are playing in the living room, and we hear the sound of the garage door open. Isla knows that means Daddy is home, and she eagerly stumbles over to the door, loudly proclaiming "Daddy, Dad-O, Dada!". My husband Zach comes inside, usually whistling or singing some silly song, exhausted from a long day on the job, covered in miscellaneous construction site materials, but so very relieved to be home, able to shower and eat. Our home is an oasis to Zach in comparison to the dirty, loud, dysfunctional chaos of a jobsite. I view our home very differently than he does at the end of the day. I have just spent the day here tending to my very energetic 1 year old, changing diapers, making dirty dishes, changing hers and my outfits sometimes up to three times because who-knows-what got all over both of us, while our dog rolls around in the dirt outside and brings it inside with him. An oasis to me would looks likegoing out to dinner with our family, so that I can get out of here for a bit, not worry about cooking or dishes, and letting some other folks love on Isla while I catch a short break.

A common disagreement in our marriage is exactly this. We are both exhausted from our busy days, and we both want to catch a break, but a break looks different to each of us. While Zach would prefer to be here at home relaxing and unwinding, which I also enjoy sometimes, I would normally rather be out with friends or family, or running some errands, or so we think.  We each have a picture of rest and relaxation, but often when we end up going out, I am wishing we hadn't gone because it becomes hectic and frustrating with a sometimes tired and fussy baby. Often when we stay home, Zach finds himself wanting for fresh air, community, and conversation with friends and family.

We recently returned from a two-week long vacation to California and Colorado. There were glimmers of excitement and fun, and times of stress and exhaustion. Before going, we were so excited to variate from the norm, and explore new places. By the end of the trip, we were done in and ready to go home. We returned home to many tasks and things to catch up on, which was also not restful.

Those are a few examples of the constant longing in each of our souls for rest that never seems to fully come, no matter where we are. Friends ask how we are doing and it seems the answer is always something like, "It has been a crazy season, I haven't been sleeping very well, we are so busy, there has been so much going on, I am tired". I can only laugh as I fold laundry and neatly place it in the drawers, while at the exact moment, my daughter is taking it out of the drawers and throwing it on the floor. I really enjoy the sound of the dishwasher swishing and seeing my shiny clean sink with nothing in it, while the clothes dryer tumbles, the freshly mopped floor gleams, and my house smells like cleanliness and soap. I sit there and soak it up with a candle lit and music playing, because the orderliness of the house makes me feel in control and relaxed for the 5 minutes that it stays that way. Maybe heaven will smell like cleanliness and soap...

Paul talks about in Philippians 3, "the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things." I feel the temptation of those things tugging at me when I am overwhelmed and my faith is wavering. It would be easier to buckle under the pressure, and fall into the cracks of the Earth, but in those moments, the Holy Spirit draws me in, stokes the fire, and makes sense of my longings for more. There are so many times I would rather cancel, flake out, sleep or not go to church, but Christ living in me causes me to strive to invite, welcome, converse, and serve, and I am always glad that I did. Earth is tangible and easier to navigate, and the glorious wonder of Heaven is difficult to grasp, but we long for it. We wait for a home beyond this earthly home.

Dear Lord,

Only when You return for your Bride, will we no longer flounder and search for satisfaction in pitiful places, but we will experience joy in it's fullest form. Until then, may we rest in knowing that the day is coming when you will bring us Home, and may we bring the pieces of Heaven in our hearts into the Earth and the lives of many. Amen

~ Carly Haynes 

1 Comment

Very thoughtfully written. Shows the many facets of family life And the faith and its positive impact on our daily lives.

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