READ: READ: PSALM 91; JOHN 1:14; 14:1-6, 15-23; REVELATION 21:1-7

During my first Thanksgiving break in college, I spent the weekend at my roommate Jade’s house. Her mom made delicious food and drinks, including a Thanksgiving punch called “Jade’s Specialty.” Their warm welcome greeted me with love. They were the closest thing I could get to a home away from home. On Thanksgiving night, Jade handed me her phone as I was eating my garlic butter roasted turkey. The phone showed a picture we’d taken before we started our Thanksgiving feast. It was me, standing in the middle of her family.

“Look at you,” she said smiling. “You’re one of us now.” I chuckled and said nothing. My head tilted downward. Jade’s smile faded. “Do you not like the picture?”

“Of course, I do,” I replied. “The picture’s great.” But my frowning face told Jade that something was wrong. Although they treated me like their own family, I couldn’t help myself from feeling discontent. I only thought about one thing. I wish my home was closer so I could celebrate Thanksgiving with my real family.

Many college students struggle with homesickness, and they’re not the only ones. Throughout our lives, there are times when we feel lonely and lost because we’re away from home. Feeling homesick is normal, but it helps to remember that Jesus is our true home, and He is always nearby. Psalm 9:9 says, “The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Jesus promises to be a shelter for us. John 1:14 even says He came to make His home among us. He assures us that we can always go to Him whenever we’re struggling. When our hearts are hurting because we long to be close to our earthly home, we can come to Jesus. He will comfort us in His love and remind us that He gives us the protection, comfort, and security we need. • Tatiana Handoko

• Can you think of a time you felt homesick? Jesus can empathize with us because He left His home with the Father to come and live among us, and then He went from town to town teaching and healing people. Ultimately, He died on the cross and rose from the grave so we could be eternally home with Him. When Jesus returns, everyone who’s put their trust in Him will live forever on the new heavens and new earth. Then we’ll never be homesick again. Until then, whenever we do feel homesick, we can rest knowing that Jesus is always with us, and He is our true home.

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John 14:23 (NLT)