In my Father's house are many mansions

 "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

 It's June, 1952 and I have just graduated from high school full of knowledge and wisdom. I have a burning desire to cast off the restraints of a good home I have enjoyed for 18 years. It's time to flee the coop, freedom, freedom, I'm off to see the world. I enlist in the United States Navy. A few days later I find myself in a little out of the way place outside San Diego, California, a place called Camp Elliot. Friends, it did not very long for me to realize how minor those restraints were in that good home I had left behind. Over the course of the next four years there were many long, hard, weary and often painful days in which thoughts of that wonderful home became the antidote that helped make those days bearable. Many years have passed since those days of long ago yet one thing remains the same, namely, those long, hard, weary, often painful days  still find their way into my life and must be dealt with. It is the thought of a beautiful home, not earthly but heavenly, that lightens the load, lifts the spirit, puts a smile on my face and allows me to go on my way rejoicing (1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Phil. 4:4-7; Gal. 2:20; Rev. 14:13). I pray this is a premise that holds true in your life as well.

 Life on this side of eternity is grand, exciting and most interesting. Enduring hardship along with the good times is just a part of life. For various reasons, our lives will sometimes be a trail of tears making this a difficult, troubling journey. When we have the hope of that eternal dwelling place prepared for us reigning in our hearts, we will overcome and one day gain the greatest victory imaginable (2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 6:18-19; 1 Cor. 15:57).

 More and more I think about going to that land of fadeless day where for ceaseless ages there will be no pain, heartache, sickness, pain or tears (Rev. 21:3-4). It is this thought that makes the few remaining days I have left here much easier. How about you?

 "Coming home, coming home, Nevermore to roam, Open wide thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home". With all my heart, I believe that being able to say, "Lord, I'm coming home", will lighten the load of any day and lift us up to higher ground.

Charles Hicks