Rounding The Last Corner

Every morning by 6:00am our dog, Jack, and I are out the door to greet the day.  I love the feel of the morning coolness touching my face.  Jack never tires of this walk even though it’s the same route day after day.  We make our way through the neighborhood, crossing streets at particular places and slipping down short lanes.  Jack is never in a hurry, taking time to enjoy the smell of blades of grass and bushes lining the way.  He ambles along — until we round the last corner.  When we get to this last stretch before reaching home, his pace quickens, mouth opens and eyes are shining, curly tail up.  As much as he just enjoyed his walk, he knows what awaits him.  Joyful anticipation is noticeable.  He makes me smile as I observe his happy behavior for what he knows is surely to be his — the morning peanut butter stick!  Oh, ecstasy!

As I watch Jack, thoughts  come to me of our own journey to our real home.  Here on earth we wade through the toils of the day, engage in times of hard work and relaxation. We experience stress and happiness.  At the end of each day, perhaps we, too, anticipate what joy awaits us behind the closed door to the place we call home; or sadly, perhaps it’s a dreaded necessity that we must endure until morning comes to take us away again.  On earth, emotions range wide between the very good and the very bad.  Oh, but like Jack, as we round the last corner before we reach our final destination, inexpressible joy awaits all who are joined together in Jesus Christ.

I vividly recall the last week of my father’s life on earth.  He was peaceful, joyful, feeling the anticipation; like Jack with his peanut butter stick, the moment he would actually look into the face of Jesus.  My Dad would say things like, “I can’t really imagine what it will be like, but I know I won’t be disappointed.”

Most people take their final turn of the corner home in old age or due to sickness, but it’s a different moment for each of us.  Whether young or old, as each day fades into a new one, we are one day closer to that corner and the anticipated promises of eternity in the presence of Jesus.

“I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people.  God Himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever.'”  Revelation 21:3-4

May your journey today be blessed with Father’s strength, peace, courage, and joy, to take you closer to your final corner.  Oh, what a day of rejoicing that will be!