For those new to this blog, we have been somewhat preoccupied in life with the failing health (leukemia described as the terminal kind) of our son, Mitch. He has labored with this for over 16 months. He still has his keen sense of humor and great memory and wit. This has been a journey of an unusual kind, even with its unique blessings along the way.
But, let me shift to a general experience we all have, certainly I do from my current position. Living a life on the road much of the time finds one of the sweetest expressions to be "Go Home." Those who work around the country know this to be a common experience. When I say I’m headed home, I look forward to familiar surroundings and my own bed. I am around family and best friends. Good and familiar routines.
It was a little different yesterday when the doctors said to our son, "There is really nothing else we can do here with the progression of your illness and residual problems. We are going to send you home." That was definitely a different, "Go home." For anyone who does not know us well, you might be thinking that we have given in to despair or discouragement. Not at all! There is a part of us that is delighted to be preparing for home. It has been tough for Mitch to be shifted from hospital to hospital over the past year and a half. However, It is obviously sad to find that you are in the elite "nothing else we can do for you" group. That’s the tough part.
For believers, the ultimate joy is a line at the end of this road that tells us to "go home". Peter referred to his audience (1 Peter) as aliens and/or strangers (cf. 1:1, 17; 2:11 et. al.) throughout. The idea was similar to Paul’s suggestion that there is another more comfortable home destination (Philippians 1; 1 Corinthians 15; Romans 8) where our final destination is better secured.
But, for the first time I had a little sinking feeling on the "go home" line. Conventional medicine has its limits. We all have ours. But, the joy of living in Christ here and being at peace with God for the future always makes home a pretty good place to go. We will go to our house for now. We will see what home looks like down the road. Thanks for your continued prayer.