Bible Reading: John 14:1-6

Adelyn looked around her empty room. She brushed her hand across the mural Dad had painted on the wall one last time, then picked up the last box and brought it out to the truck. When Mom pulled the truck door down with a loud rumble, Adelyn couldn’t help it. She burst into tears.

Mom pulled her close. “It’s going to be okay, Adelyn,” she said in a hoarse voice as Adelyn sobbed into her shoulder. Mom was crying too.

“I don’t get it,” said Adelyn. “Why do we have to leave our house?”

“Because the bank lent us the money to buy the house, but after your dad died, paying back the loan on my own became too hard. So now they’re taking back the house.” She stroked Adelyn’s hair. “I know it’s hard to leave the house you grew up in, especially with all its memories of your dad, but we don’t have a choice. We’ll live with Grandma and Grandpa for a while, then you and I will find a nice apartment.”

“But I don’t want to live in an apartment!” said Adelyn, barely able to get the words out through her tears. “I want to live here! This is where you and Dad and I always lived. This is our true home!”

“Oh, Adelyn,” said Mom. “This isn’t our true home–it never was. It was a wonderful place to live, but it was never meant to last forever. As Christians, our true home is with Jesus. He is with us now, and when we finally see Him face-to-face in heaven, it will be better than anything we could possibly imagine! And you know what the best part is?”

“What?” asked Adelyn, wiping her eyes.

“Our eternal home has already been paid for! We could never afford it ourselves, but Jesus gave His life so we could live with Him forever.”

Mom led Adelyn to the door of the truck. “I know how hard this is–it’s hard for me too. Jesus said we’d have trouble in this world, and it’s okay to feel sad about it. But don’t lose sight of your true home. Jesus will be with you through all of life’s troubles and promises you a home with Him forever.”

–Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Have you experienced pain or sadness in your life? Maybe you lost someone close to you or had to move away from a place you loved. Whatever it is, you don’t have to go through it alone. If you know Jesus, He promises to always be with you and to one day bring you to your eternal home, where you’ll never feel pain or sadness again. Your true home is with Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV) (John 16:33 )

Today’s Key Thought:
Christians have a home with Jesus