HOME SWEET HOME
It’s getting to be that time of the year when there is a nip in the air. That is the first indication that autumn is approaching, followed closely by winter. I am not the only one who knows that fall is coming; I noticed that geese have also gotten the word. We bought a house with a huge Canadian geese population nearby, and I have started to see the V formation of geese flying south for the winter.
The other day as I was driving, I stopped at a red light. I looked over at a large empty parking lot and saw several big puddles of water standing from the recent week-long rains that we received. One large puddle had about 10-15 geese standing around it, grabbing a quick drink of water. Then, about 50 feet away, another large puddle had one solitary goose drinking from it.
Geese are extremely social creatures, and you almost always see large groups of them together. Even when they fly south, they stay together in their formation for the most part. I looked back at the other puddle, and I noticed that there was still much room left for more geese, so why did this one goose drink from another puddle? Was he not liked, was he being ostracized, or did he decide that he wanted to do something differently from the rest of the group?
As I pulled out from the red light, I was still thinking about the goose and why he was different. Then, I remembered watching The Chosen and how a school of fish was all swimming along, and one of them turned and went in the opposite direction. It chooses to go against the flow and be different. That is the whole tagline of The Chosen; Get Used To Different.
I mentioned this to my sister, and she had a wonderful perspective on this, so I will share her thoughts with you.
This world is not our actual home; we’re just visitors going through this land. Think about a United States Ambassador who is living in an embassy in a foreign country. They live there, work there, and shop and deal with other people and other cultures. But, at their heart, they are not citizens of that country; they’re citizens of the US.
Philippians 3:20
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As we look at what’s happening in the world around us and we get distressed, or conversely, we get successful, we start to think we’ve got it all figured out. That is when we need to take a check and remind ourselves this is not our home. We are not citizens of this earth, this country, this group, etc. We are citizens of Heaven, so we need to remember that our calling is to know Jesus, love Jesus, and make Him known. Our mission may be to minister to the people in our workplace, at school, at church, or our own families, but we will be heading back home when the mission is over. So, remember, this is temporary. Just like living in a foreign place, you can enjoy all the wonderful food and people, but your heart will always belong to your home.
Hebrews 13:14 (The New Living Translation)
14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Sometimes as Christians, we have to go against the flow. We can find ourselves alone at times, but that is fine. The Lord is always with us, so we will never be truly alone. As I am sure that you’ve heard many times, “If everyone is jumping off a bridge, would you?” In our Christian walk, we need to remember that we don’t want to do what the crowd is doing; we have another call.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Should be “and not being alone”. Not what I typed!
Love this about going in a different direction from the crowd a d it being alone because God is right there.
The example of the fish in the beginning of “The Chosen” which I love is so great.
I want to swim with God aginst the crowd.
I long for the day I go “home”. But until then, I will be grateful for the days I am given.
Praise God we have a heavenly home to look forward to!!!
Tania, I really needed to hear this today! It really brought a bit of tears to my eyes and a warmth in my heart being reminded that this really is not my home and that I long to go home one day! We are going through a huge transition in our life by downsizing, purchased another home but have not been able to list our current one due to a huge water leak that has yet to be completely closed up. The stress is building as we own two homes but hearing this today reminded me that God has plan for us and this is just one of those trials that we have to get through and I know He will be with us throughout this time. Thank you so much for reminding me of that! Have a Blessed week!
Have a blessed week! ❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful commentary.
A beautiful reminder, Tania! Have a beautiful week and enjoy those crisp mornings <3
I read your messages every Sunday and love them. They speak to me and you truly have a gift. Thank you.
Thanks, Pat!
Love the visualization and this is a good reminder!
Love all the scripture quotes.
Your one fish going the other way example makes me think of Finding Nemo where he’s singing “just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”. If we just keep swimming on the path God has ordained for us, we will never be alone! Like the goose in the big puddle, it may look like we’re alone, but with God we’re never alone, even if it looks like it.
Bonnie, that is exactly right. 🐠🐠🐠
THANK YOU, Tania! Blessings to you and your family! ✝️💗
I love the analogy of being an ambassador in a foreign country. What a lovely way to remind us that this is not our home; a better destination awaits.
Thank you for the encouragement today.
What a beautiful story! I loved it! Thank you for that today!
I love today’s devotion. Great analogy. Your sister should write a book. 😜
I enjoy your posts very much. Keep up the good fashion tips and most importantly keep on keeping on for Christ.
Lol! She has written TWO books. You can find them on the side of my blog posts (on a computer or laptop), or if on a phone, keep scrolling after my post and you will see one of them.
Thank you for sharing a devotional each week. 😊🙏💕
I am looking forward to my forever home HEAVEN!
Great message, we are NEVER alone, if we know Jesus as our
Personal Lord and Saviour!
Amen!! ❤️
Amen! Beautiful reminder!
Good thought for today!
Thank you and your sister for the beautiful reminder that we will have a Heavenly home with Jesus if we are saved!
You’re welcome, Lorri! Have a great week!
Thank you Tania for explaining the verses. I for one find it difficult to put into words that I can understand. Todays I fully understood!
Rita, this makes me happy!
Thank you for the great coat ideas!
Thank you for that post. I feel like the goose drinking water alone today. Your words made me stop and think. I am not alone . Jesus is always with me. Thank you.
He is always walking with us.
Thank you for sharing this post with us, Tania!
Beautiful post Tania. Thank you!
Thank you for this insight. I needed it today.
This really resonated with me Tania. It reminded me of a paragraph I read years ago about how we think of ourselves as humans with souls. While we are, it is even more eye opening when we think of ourselves in another light. We are souls with human form traveling through this world. 🌍💕🙂
I loved today’s devotional. Today’s deals with the tan coat was awesome.
That was just fabulous! Thank you for your consistent witness!!! Happy Sunday❤
You always make me think! Love your sisters take on it.
I loved today’s devotional a needed read for me. Love the fall enjoyed today’s deals .
Happy Sunday blessings!
This is beautiful. Thanks to you and your sister for these thoughts.
Sometimes you have to stand alone for what you stand for.
The daily thoughts and scriptures are spot on. Obviously, the Lord is using you to encourage others. Thank you! Suzonne
Thank you for this reminder of who we are, where we belong and what we should be doing! It’s easy to get caught up in this world and become distracted from our mission. We must not lose sight of our calling!
Lisa, I am the worst for getting distracted. 🙄
We, too, have a large geese population living outside our back door. It’s enjoyable to view their daily antics. I often wonder how they determine who is the leader of the day! That being said, they are messy creatures, and I can’t wait to bid them goodbye for a few months.
I enjoyed your message today. I had not thought in terms of being someone “passing through” this land.
Nancy, they are very messy, but I still love watching them.
Thanks for your devotion. I think contentment comes from knowing these things that you have shared. Have a great day.
Have a great week! 😊
Such a good reminder of the real purpose in our lives.
What a wonderful Sunday morning message before going to church. Not only do you enlighten us to fashion tips, your Reference to Bible verses and spreading God’s Word is a positive and uplifting pickup! May God continue to bless you and your family as you bless us!
May God bless you and your family! ❤️
Your words are always so inspiring. Keep up the good work,
I enjoyed the perspective your sister had with the goose!
I love that you always have a Bible verse on your post.
Thank you so much for commenting! 😊
Thank you, I needed this today.
Amazing message today, Tania. Thank you for a clearly stated reminder. 😊
I love your sister’s perspective on this, especially since I just returned from a trip to Europe. As much as I loved visiting, I was happy to get home. Just imagine the feeling when we arrive to our heavenly home!
I’m glad that you enjoyed this post! 😊
Beautiful message! 🕊
What excitement I feel when thinking about going to Heaven. Being with Jesus IN PERSON! ✝️ ❤️
Tania, I’m wishing that we were having fall weather like you are! In Texas, it’s still in the 90s. 🍁🦆🍂
Amen! ❤️
LOVE the message! Sunday posts are such a blessing.
Thank you so much for this devotional. I needed to be reminded that this world is not my home. Thank you for each Sunday devotion.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! ❤️
Thank you for providing powerful everyday examples to these verses. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Have a wonderful Sunday, Susan! ❤️
Amen!
Great inspiration!