Home Again, Home Again

In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."  Jeremiah 29:12-14

When I was a little girl, I became homesick very easily.  I couldn't stand to be away from my home and family for very long.  Even when we were together on vacations, it was music to my ears to hear my mother say, "Home again, home again, jiggity-jig," as we pulled into the driveway after a long trip.  There was, and is, no place like home.

At the age of seven, my mother became ill and had to be hospitalized for almost a year.  Before she left, Mother came to me and said, "Tomorrow I have to go away, and I will be gone for a long time.  But, don't worry.  I'll be back." 

As a seven-year-old, I didn't understand, and my heart was deeply troubled.  "Where are you going?" I asked.  "Why can't I go, too?  When will you be back?"  There were so many questions, and I knew I would be terribly homesick for my mother. 

There is no doubt that the exiles were homesick.  They longed for all of the familiar favorites of their native land.  They didn't understand that His entire plan revolved around His love for them.   They didn't understand that one day they would be home again - with Him.

One day, if Christ is your Savior, He will come to take you home again, too.  And, there is no place like it. One day we will no longer be homesick - we will be home again, home again (jiggity-jig).