I remember the first time I felt homesick.
I had been away from home before but never without the company of someone I knew well and loved.
This time was different-I was at a sleepover camp populated with strangers. Kind strangers, yes, but not a familiar face among the crowd.
It had sounded like a great idea when I signed up. So much to do and see: horses to pet and ride, crafts to be made, campfires to sit around and cook over.
But I soon found that no amount of excitement or distraction could undo the feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was not where I should be. It was all just a bit “off”. Everything was slightly skewed. I never got comfortable enough there to truly enjoy myself.
Instead, I kind of simply endured.
Since Dominic left for Heaven, more than a few days have been spent with that same feeling in the pit of my stomach. Although I am (very often) surrounded by people I know and love, I still can’t shake the sense that things aren’t quite “right”.
Of course I’m perfectly aware that part of the feeling is generated by Dominic’s absence.
But there’s more to it than that.
I know the Bible teaches that this world is not our home.
Still, I think most of us get so comfortable here that we forget.
I know I had.
As my family grew in number and years, I was able to bring “home” with me wherever I went. Together, we created a bubble of love and companionship. It seemed nearly perfect-until one of us left suddenly and unexpectedly.
Immediately, Heaven as my true home become so much dearer to me.
I know that the correct “Sunday School” answer is that I’ve always longed to see Jesus.
But if I’m honest-and I try very hard to be honest here-as long as my family was intact, Heaven could wait.
It took the life-altering, heart breaking reality of child loss for me to recognize that this world is NOT my home. No matter how beautiful, wonderful and fulfilling my life on earth may be, it’s never going to be free of hardship and heartache.
I am homesick-utterly, inconsolably homesick.
So I point my face to the east-just as Dominic and other saints whose bodies await the resurrection face east-and look forward to that Glorious Day when Jesus will return and make every thing that’s wrong. right.
I admit that my homesick heart won’t ever be satisfied in this world.
And I lean in and hold on to the hope I have in Christ-trusting Him to redeem and restore.
I began to try to define the pain I felt. Yes, it was sorrow, but it was something more, something infinitely deeper. I felt it all the time, even when I was happy. It wasn’t just sorrow. It was a longing; a pining for a better place and time … no, not just a better place and time, a perfect place and time; a different reality. It felt like longing for home, but not for a home I had ever been to. I began to see that it was something like homesickness …. Perhaps Christians are the most consistently homesick people in the world because they know this world (as it is) isn’t their true home. Yes, I was home, but I was still homesick.
~Elyse Fitzpatrick, Home
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thelifeididntchoose 
I am waiting to go home. I know I wont see my Lydia, but the devastating pain will be gone
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I lost my son May 14,2021 and I too treasure heaven so much more. I’ll do my best here on this earth for my living son, and all my family but I know Heaven is my true home
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I, too, long for the day when I will see Jason again. At times, I just endure this life waiting for that day. The weight of grief that sits on my chest some days is difficult to bear. I know some day it will all be gone.
I used to be afraid of flying, but the first time we went on an airplane after Jason died, I wasn’t afraid at all. I realized that, if I died, I would be in Heaven with Jason. And that would be a better place.
I like that song by Carrie Underwood, “Temporary Home.” It speaks to looking past where we are now to a better day.
“This is my temporary Home
It’s not where I belong
Windows in rooms that I’m passin’ through
This was just a stop, on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home.”
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I understand…
When our family is together there is always an empty chair where our Beautiful Peyton sat for 21 years. I cannot wait to see and hold her again.
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I was slapped in the face today and totally speechless! Those that know me know I’m never speechless! I talk in my sleep. Today in a conversation I was told……. “ My loss is worse than yours because I had 20 plus years of memories and you just had 11 days and losing my mother was worse than you losing your child” I’m still speechless! How would you respond?
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I am so sorry that happened to you. People say the most inappropriate and hurtful things sometimes! I’m not sure how I might have responded (if I even could respond) in the early days of grieving my son. I think it would have felt like you describe-a slap in the face-and shock would have shushed me.
Now, with experience, I think I’d say this: “I know it’s natural for you to try to compare your grief to mine, but they don’t compare. We all anticipate losing our parents because it’s part of the natural order of things. I’m so sorry you lost your mom. But losing a child, no matter how short the life, is devastating to a parent’s heart! We are not made to bury our children. We never think we will be “remembering” them. We think we will make a lifetime of memories WITH them. So, please understand that your words hurt my heart. When you speak about my child as if his (or her) life is less valuable because it was short, it is unkind. ”
Again, I’m truly sorry you had to bear up under those comments. Praying the Lord greets you this morning with fresh grace and strength to face the day. ❤
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…yes, thank you for your heart words … it shall be more glorious than we can Imagine – to be Home ❤️ All of us – together – in the meantime I will be endeavoring allow His Light 🕯 to shine through ALL of my (many) cracked and broken places 💝😌
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Exactly how I feel Melanie, I certainly feel not as much part of this world and not as comfortable here as I once was. Heaven was always a reality for me but now the reality is much clearer than it was and although I want to be here for as long as possible for my earth bound children and grandchildren, I do long to be in a better place for all of us x
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Oh Melanie. Again you have put words to my heart feelings. I do so long for Heaven now in a way I didn’t when my family was intact. Thanks for sharing.
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One day, Rhyl! I love how the Jesus Storybook Bible says it, “Everything sad will come untrue”. ❤
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