Coming Home

Have you ever felt down? Of course, this is a rhetorical question, as everybody, at one time or another, feels down about something.

Let me ask it another way.

Have you ever worked, long, hard and diligently at something, allowing yourself to feel a certain measure of pride, only to realize that nobody seemed to notice, much less recognize your efforts? I admit, I have. Fortunately, just like the trophy/award which I anticipated for my efforts, which never materialized, my "down feeling" and accompanying frustration, was fleeting and immaterial.

Anyway, I'd like to share a story with you that I have heard previously and was recently reminded of. It was a blessing to me and if the need is present in your life, I hope that it proves to be a blessing to you as well.

This story is about an old missionary couple, Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Morrison. 

The Morrisons, having served in Africa for forty years, were returning to America to retire. Now, this was during a time in our history that transcontinental travel was done by ship. They boarded the ship on the west coast of Africa and set sail, for home across the Atlantic Ocean. As they steamed into New York Harbor, they were happy to be home, yet both shouldered a burden of concern, as they had no pension, their health was in need of repair and they were both very tired.

While sailing aboard ship, they discovered that President Theodore Roosevelt and his entourage were also onboard, returning from a safari in Africa. Together, the Morrisons watched the fanfare that accompanied the president as he returned from abroad. Roosevelt was met by a great delegation and with much excitement. Reverend Morrison couldn't help but feel some resentment. There was no one to meet he and his wife. No one came to celebrate their return after forty years of faithful service.

"Honey, you shouldn't feel that way," said Mrs. Morrison.

"I can't help it," he replied. "It doesn't seem right."

The missionaries slipped off the ship, unnoticed, found an obscure, cheap room on New York's east side and tried to figure out their future. That same night, Mr. Morrison's heart broke, and he said to his wife, "I can't take this. God isn't treating us fairly."  

Mrs. Morrison replied, "why don't you just go into the bedroom and tell that to the Lord."

A short time later, Reverend Morrison emerged from the bedroom and his face was completely different. His wife, noticing this fact, asked, "honey, what happened?"

He said, "Well, the Lord settled it with me. I told him how bitter I was that the president should receive this tremendous homecoming, when nobody met us when we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet.'"

If you're a Christian and feeling neglected, unnoticed and even somewhat worthless, remember this. 

You're not home yet. That day and time will overshadow anything you have ever previously experienced. 

And if you're not a Christian but find yourself wondering about these things that Christians seem to share, please don't hesitate to contact me or somebody whom you know to be a Christian, with who you may be more comfortable with.

I would be happy to share The Good News with you!!