My View of Life - Never Better!

Mom, Where is my Really Home?

As a young boy about six years old, I recall climbing hills, fishing streams, and beholding the beauty of the National Parks of America's Northwest. We'd recently settled in Yellowstone National Park--the forth move of my brief sojourn on earth.
With a major upheaval of our residence about every year and a half, a question simmered in my mind. I posed it to my mother. "Mom, where is my really home?" Mom was taken back. She looked at her little boy, recognizing he'd never had a chance to set roots, or form a home base. But then the realization hit her; a life in the park service mandated frequent moves. He may never know what "a real home" means.
She sat down with her inquisitive son, thoughts of her other children coursing through her mind. She'd lost her oldest Son, Sammy, several years ago. He died at age two--where was his home? Her oldest two children, daughters, were already far away--one of them married, and the other in college. Where were their homes?
She came to the only conclusion she could. "Rhett son, your really home isn't here on earth. Do you know where Sammy is?"
"Yes Mommy, he's in heaven."
"That's right son. He's with your Heavenly Father, and your big brother Jesus where we lived before."
"Can I go home to see them?"
Betty Wintch gasped. She couldn't begin to entertain the thought of losing another child. "Rhett, it's not time for you to go home yet! It's a wonderful place but your Heavenly Father still wants you to learn and grow here first."
"O.k. Mommy."
39 years flew by. I sat at Mom's bedside reading her stories that she'd written throughout her life. "Rhett son," she interrupted. "I'll be going home soon."
I knew she was right. She'd fought valiantly for many years through severe arthritis, a broken neck, and other health concerns. "Are you scared mom?"
"Oh no son. I'm thrilled. I can't wait to see Mom and Dad and Sammy. I can't wait to feel whole and well, and be able to work, and enjoy life again."
"Will you be in your "really home," Mom?
Recognition spread across her face. "That's right son. I'll be in my really home."
Before that week ended, she passed on, returning home to her Father that gave her life.
Where is my "really home?" I've never felt at home in any of the many places I've lived. I have no idea where I'd like to be buried. I've thought about my Mother's answer for 48 years now. I believe I know what she was telling me. It's simple, beautiful, comforting, peaceful...
Of all the names God prefers all of humanity to call him, he's chosen--Father--our Father in Heaven. He loves us so much that he gave us his Only Begotten Son that we might know him, that we might come unto him, be grateful for him, desire to be like him, and have a way to come home to him. (See: Bible, New Testament, John 17:3)
Now, at age 54, I know where my "really home" is. I've felt his spirit a million times throughout my life teaching me, blessing me, and comforting me. The times when I feel wrapped in the arms of my Savior's love are soothing to such an extent that I would give everything I am, and everything I could ever hope to be, to be worthy of their investment in me.
All the strangeness of this world will be gone, and I will be home, the very second I see him. He is my picture of home--my really home. He is the embodiment of love, kindness, charity, peace, and happiness. Sure I can't wait to join Mom and Dad again along with Sammy, and the rest of my family. I long for a rest from this difficult world. I long to be rid of my painful arthritis. I long to feel firsthand the wondrous love and goodness of our Savior and Heavenly Father.
But, far beyond my longing to go home, is the desire to do Father's will. His will is for all of his kids to come unto his son and not give up trying to do so. So home is doing and being as I would be in my really home. Loving, giving, caring...just making this time on earth an extension of my really home--with the main focus being directed to my precious wife and children. Doing as Jesus would do even when it's difficult. Instilling into my being a life where I'd be comfortable and right at home if I were to pass through the veil at any given time.
My will drives me each and every second of every day to press forward. I will embrace this opportunity of life, and throughout the ups and downs, triumphs and failures, happiness' and sorrows, I'll be at my really home, I'll be--NEVER BETTER.