It means more now…
August 12th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
As many of you know, Ginger and I recently went to Bulgaria to meet our son, N. It was a F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C trip! Not only did we get to see a beautiful country, meet interesting people, and encounter an entirely new culture, we also met the most wonderful (and devilish) boy on the planet!
Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers, thoughts, and support. We were on the other side of the globe, but we could feel your presence. It was so encouraging to know that we had a church family praying continually for us. We are so blessed to have you all! If you would like to read about our trip or see photos and videos, visit G’s blog: http://momentsdefined.wordpress.com/
As I entered fatherhood in another country, I became keenly aware of something: I realized that the Bible was going to speak to me in ways that weren’t possible before. How so? What do I mean? Much of the imagery in the Bible is founded on father/son concepts, and while I have a father and I am a son, I have thus far been unable to relate to being a father and having a son.
As I was laying in bed only hours after seeing N. for the last time on our trip, I was thinking about going home and getting things ready for his arrival. I made a mental list, noting that I needed safety locks for doors, race car room decorations, and a lot of food! As I finished my list, God spoke a passage into my heart; in John 14:2 Jesus said, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
In this text, Jesus was speaking on behalf of the Father and He let His listeners know that He would soon be leaving them to go and prepare a new home for them. The disciples were being promised a heavenly home, but they hardly recognized what was happening. Jesus was assuring them that His words were completely trustworthy and letting them know that they could have confidence and hope in what was said.
Never before had the magnitude and depth of this passage sunk in until I was a father. What do I mean? As I held N. on the last day in Bulgaria, I wanted him to know that I loved him, that I would miss him, that I was going to prepare a place for him, and that I was coming back to get him.
N. could trust my words. I have been and will continue to do everything within my power to prepare his new home for his arrival. Not a moment will go by when I do not think of him and wish he were here.
Similarly, we can trust Jesus’ words. He has been and will continue to do everything within His sovereign power to prepare our new home for our arrival. Not a moment will go by when He does not think of us and wish we were with Him.
On this day, I am thankful for two things: one, the fact that different stages in life bring about new understanding and insight in God’s Word. Two, that heaven awaits me because of Jesus‘ promise. Just a though.
