Temporary Home

I'm cheesy when it comes to music. I like sappy love songs, inspiring songs, songs with meaning, etc. So naturally, I love country music. I downloaded Carrie Underwood's newest album a few months ago, and one of my favorite songs on there is "Temporary Home." Every time I hear it, it gets me thinking.

I'm in China, away from "home," so my first thought is always that China is just my temporary home and that I'll get to go back to my home culture soon, where my family is, where things are familiar and comfortable. Often when out shopping, especially when we first got here, I will see something that I like, but decide not to get it because, after all, this is just a temporary stay and I don't really need it. Also, when I get frustrated that I look different, that I can't understand what people are saying, that I don't know what's going on, that I can't find what I'm looking for, it is a great comfort to remember that this is not my real home. When I get home, I won't stand out in a crowd, I'll understand what those around me are saying...things will just be better when I get home.

And then it hits me. The way I feel about living in China is how I should feel about living on the earth. You see, no matter where I am on earth, I'm not going to fit in. I'm going to look a little different. I'll be away from my Father. I won't understand why people say and do certain things. I won't be able to find what I'm looking for. All this because this is not really where I'm from. This is only my temporary home.

I've mentioned before that I get butterflies every time I think about going through the customs line when I land back on U.S. soil and hearing those beautiful words, "Welcome home." As wonderful as that will be, I cannot imagine how amazing it will be to finally get Home and here my Father say, "Welcome home, child."

It breaks my heart to see my sweet students who wake up every morning thinking this life is all there is. There sole purpose is to find a good job, make money, and try to be as happy as they can be. There is no hope. There is no true joy. I pray every day that the Father can use me to show them that this is only temporary, and that He's waiting on them, longing for them to come Home.