I am nearing the end of another journal and, God willing, will begin another soon. This is always a reminder to me of the passing of life and the importance of making every day count. In this particular journal I have some thoughts written in the front and back flyleaf.

In the front I have two Scriptures that have been a great help to me. One is a promise for every place where the Lord may take me: “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4). The truth for every trip is that God has already gone ahead of me. This has encouraged me on many journeys!

The other passage is a prayer for each day: “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies” (Psalm 27:11).

Every work has its challenges. As an evangelist one of the challenges is just being away from home. Tammy and the kids get to travel with me a good bit and we work our schedule to be back together between meetings when we’ve been apart. At certain times of the year I dedicate periods of time to be home.

Like most people, I love to be home. I miss it when I am away! Yet in God’s providence He has placed me in work that frequently takes me away from home. Some people think that this must mean a very miserable existence. Quite the opposite is true. I have learned more about home and the One who created it during my time away from it. In the back flyleaf of my journal I have been making a list over the last several months: Truths That I Have Learned While Away From Home.

1. God is the same everywhere. He is not bound by geography.
2. I am never alone. I never board a plane alone, never check into a hotel alone, never set out on a long drive alone. Jesus promised that He would never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)!
3. The family of God is the greatest family on earth.
4. When I can’t be with my family I can pray. My prayers can go where I cannot.
5. There will be hard days. His grace will be sufficient and His kindness can often be shown through a stranger.
6. You have to make yourself at home wherever you are. I carry pictures, cards, special things from those I love. They help me to feel more at home wherever I am.
7. Find your “home” in the presence of God. Heaven will be home because God will be there. Anywhere in the presence of God is home! As I spend time with Him He meets the deepest longings of my soul.

It is still true that there is “no place like home.” I always drive a little faster as I near home. But I have learned that my good Father is the same on the road as He is in the comfort and privacy of home.

My journal is a very personal, sacred thing to me. It is my hope that these simple thoughts may be of help to someone else today…whether you are at home or away. The Lord desires to teach all of us more about Himself today.