“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am. 
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4 NIV

TEMPORARY HOME

Just after Easter, as I was driving from my Uncle and Aunt’s house to Hamilton, the thought crossed my mind that I was going to pass by four different homes I’d lived in.  Since I don’t get around that area very often, I took pictures of each house.  Some looking, Oh so different! than when growing up.

As I continued to drive, I began counting just how many places I’ve called home.  There were:

  • 10 growing up with my parents
  • 3 different college dorms
  • 9 places as an adult that included:
    4 houses, 2 townhouses, 1 trailer, and 2 cottages.

If you’re counting, that’s 22 “homes” in total!

Shelby & Haillie
Shelby & Haillie outside our home

Thinking about my moving mayhem brought Carrie Underwood’s song, Temporary Home to mind.  As teens, this song had become very close to my daughter and her friend Haillie’s heart. Haillie and her mom, my friend Lori had come to live with us when we were both going through separation.  To say it was a tough time would be an understatement. When the radio announced Carrie was coming to Toronto, I immediately booked tickets for us all.  As Carrie sang our life-song, we were all streaming tears.

I think this week’s verses are especially impactful to me because of all the temporary homes I’ve had. Add to that, recently having Todd’s Nanny Lois pass away and move into her forever home; the value of this Scripture has only deepened.  With Nanny’s passing still fresh in our hearts, knowing this earth isn’t the end… that there’s more.. that Jesus loves us so much He’s gone to build a forever home for us all, brings so much comfort!

John 14:1-3

Jesus disciples were about as smart as us and they struggled to grasp what He was telling them.  In the next verse, they ask, “how can we know the way?” to which Jesus makes everything clear when He explains, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because of Christ, this earth can be just “windows and rooms”1 we’re passing through.

I hope you let Jesus’ words sink in.  Don’t LET your hearts be troubled, no matter what’s going on in your world. You can sing along with Carrie because.. this is just your temporary home!

Prayer

Father…Your promises are so good they’re often hard for my brain to imagine. Understanding what you went through, to provide the way Jesus, is completely overwhelming. To know you’re preparing a place for me, so comforting!  I thank You that I can know with certainty there is a better place, and I get to go there! One day, my temporary home of earth will be replaced by my forever home, heaven! Cya soon Jesus!

[tweetthis]This is just a stop on the way to where I’m going @carrieunderwood #TemporaryHome #soulh2o[/tweetthis]

Carrie,

If you ever end up reading this post, I hope you know how much your music has ministered to us.  Praying God blesses you with on overwhelming sense of His love and goodness.

Sherry Stahl Signature

Music Video for Temporary Home.  I dare you to watch it and not cry girls 🙂

1Lyrics to the song: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/temporaryhome.html

Carrie’s Website:  https://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/

Soul H2O BookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

  

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DRAWING FROM THE WELL-PINKY

  1. John 14:1-4
  2. John 14:5-6
  3. John 14:27-29
  4. Isaiah 32:18

Blogger Prayers-Pinky BrownYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin 

Sherry Stahl