Home

Today in church we sang the song "I Surrender All".  I have heard much more amazing and moving renditions of this song, but today I was reminded for several reasons of home.  This is another one of those songs that I remember Dad singing.  I remember singing in our brethren assembly without instruments and pure hearts just belting out this tune.  Not always in tune, but the heart completely in tune with God.

So two things came to me today. . . How much I miss my family. . . . my "home".  Not the physical home, but the companion of my siblings - that "home" feeling.  My growing up home has long since been sold, but the "home" feeling of us being together.  I missed that today.

This week a friend of Peyton's buried his grandpa.  His friend's mom buried her father.  I am so blessed to still have my father alive. But it got me to thinking about home.  Panicking just a little bit to have that "one more chance" with my dad - just in case.  And so today as I imagined him singing beside me, I could help but feel a little nostalgic.

Our youth pastor shared a sermon today about temptation. And I guess with it, the relationship that we have with God -  and how temptation plays into that relationship.  I have also been thinking of my relationship with God and wondering how I can even call it a relationship at times.  But today as we listened to Pastor Kent talk about temptation, I was reminded that if my relationship with God is what it is supposed to be, temptation - while still a temptation - will become less so.  When I am accessing the Holy Spirit within me, and letting Him spill out in my every action, emotion and being, temptation becomes less and less.  Not that it won't be there, but the Holy Spirit is stronger.  The temptation becomes just that.  A temptation.  And the Holy Spirit gives me victory. 

I so long for the day when I am Home with God.  The day when I can just sit and praise my Saviour.  I know for now, the Holy Spirit is in me - directing me - motivating me - hopefully flowing out of me.  And hopefully because of that  I will be able to resist temptation.  Don't get me wrong.  Temptation will always be there while Satan is rampant.  However, if I am tapping in to the full power of the Holy Spirit that God has promised me, I too can resist the devil - and he will flee from me!!!!  I long to be Home in Heaven to be able to experience that full surrender to God.  Without distractions. Without temptations.

But I guess for now, I will claim the power that God has promised - the Holy Spirit in me - and work towards that Home going with Him.  I look forward to the day when I can sit and just praise Him.  No worries or distractions.  No temptations.  No decisions to make.  Just pure praise.  I can only imagine how awesome that will be.  All my focus, my energy, my thoughts - everything will be focused on my God.  I will be HOME with Him. forever. . . . .