You remember Dorothy, right? She dreamed of escaping plain, boring Kansas. And then a tornado delivered her to the wonderful land of Oz, where celebrity doctors have their own tv shows.
Oops, sorry! That’s Dr. Oz, not the Wizard of Oz. It gets so confusing sometimes!
Through an amazing series of events, Dorothy makes new friends, sees strange sights, and comes to the conclusion that Kansas ain’t so bad. There’s no place like home.
Writing last week’s post, I was sitting on a sofa in a hospital room (at least it was nice enough to have a sofa). In case you missed that post, you can find it here.
Writing now, I am sitting on that same sofa. It has been a long seven days hanging out here with my dad, who has spent 21 of the last 37 days in the hospital.
I spent four of those nights in the room with him and the other 17 in a nearby hotel room. I can give you a review of each of the 3 different hotels if you find yourself needing one in San Angelo or Plano.
This morning I got to the hospital as he was finishing breakfast. I got him some hot chocolate (at 82, he says he’s not old enough to drink coffee) and told him I needed to get this week’s post composed and submitted to the newspapers.
He said he would sit quietly and let me work. I told him I needed some inspiration. He said, “Hallelujah, it’s good to be going home!”
Now, he’s sitting there reading his book, with no idea that he inspired this column. I’ll let it be a surprise to him when he sees it in the newspaper.
We don’t have official word yet, but all indications are that he has spent his last night here and will be rolling out sometime today.
I have to say that the folks at The Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano have been head and shoulders above any hospital experience I’ve ever had or viewed up close. Spectacular.
But, it is not home.
Home for Dad is the house he’s been in since 1962, with his dogs, cats, sheep, horse, cattle, and the land required for all those critters.
I love traveling, seeing new places, trying new food, experiencing new cultures … but nothing can keep my heart from going back to the house in Azle, Texas that Mrs. Sweetie and I have called home for over 27 years.
I think God builds into us a longing for that place where we are loved, cherished, and at rest. Home here is intended as an “appetizer”—a foretaste—of what Heaven will be for those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus.
Home here is intended as an “appetizer”—a foretaste—of what Heaven will be for those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus. Click To Tweet
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? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-2, NLT)
Our lives matter to God so much that He has put “home” in our hearts.
Good call, Dorothy.
