It was a long day of travel, the kind where a delayed flight turns into a missed connection which turns into renting a car and driving the second leg of your trip home, instead of the original plan of a peaceful and relaxing flight. As we pulled into the garage I let out a happy sigh: Ahhh, it feels good to be home.

Of course, the four days leading up to the travel home were glorious. Four days of sight-seeing, animal watching, and riding roller-coasters in the happiest place on earth, Disney World, with the whole family, grandparents included – it doesn’t get much better than that! But still, when I roll into the garage, even drained from the travel, it sure feels good to be home.

The same applies to when I return from a weekend away with my husband, a relaxing beach trip with the kids, or even a girls’ trip – no matter how much fun I have while on vacation, it’s always good to be home. Yes, returning to real life can be messy, less fun, but it’s home.

As I roll into my garage, frustrated and exhausted, it hit me. This is what God feels like.

No matter the trials of the travel – missed connections, long waits, achy back from sitting for way too long, baldness from dealing with screaming children in confined spaces – the stress melts away when you hit your front door. You walk through, close the door behind you just as you fall back to lean and take in the familiar sights and smells. You’re home.  

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

This is how I feel with God. The trials of the day would break me down if I didn’t have God there, asking me to lay my burdens on Him. Sure, I can distract my mind with vacations, movies, the list is endless really, but, when I come home, when I come to Him, is when I truly get that Ahhh feeling.

I try to be mindful about this a lot. Anytime I feel stress creeping in I turn to prayer and ask for His wisdom and guidance. This act alone relieves the stress from my shoulders and reminds me of who is really in control. I love that pulling into my garage after a fun extended weekend of play and a long day of travel put into perspective of how God is my home and made me appreciate the Ahhh feeling more.

Do you have trouble remembering that Ahhh feeling sometimes? Do you sometimes forget that God tells us He is our rest and His burden is light, and that He is our refuge, our stronghold? Here are some tips just in case those forgetful moments creep in:

• Anytime you feel your gut screaming out to you, saying something is not right, turn to prayer and scripture. Your gut may be the Holy Spirit’s way to alert you that you need to seek God’s guidance first on a matter.

• Ever hear the advice for when you’re angry ‘to take a deep breath and count down from ten’? Let’s add, ‘and pray’ to the end of that sentence. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, if I feel my blood begin to boil stop to pray, I am able to calm down and seek where God might be leading me in that situation.

• Be full of thankfulness. In the good and in the bad, be thankful. I’m currently reading Jennie Allen’s book, Anything. It’s a life-changer. She quotes a friend in the book that says, “You have to thank God for the seemingly good and the seemingly bad because really, you don’t know the difference.” Those are wise words to live by and ones that can change your level of gratitude in every situation.

That last point was key for me during our long treek back home. Instead of being frustrated at the airline for causing us to miss our connecting flight, I instead thanked God for the amazing time he allowed me to have with my daughters, parents, and husband.  When we rolled home much later than expected, I was thankful for the house I was coming home to. Above all, I was thankful for a God who loved me enough to be my refuge, my stronghold and who asks me to lay my burdens upon Him so I don’t grow weary carrying them. He is my true home, my Ahhh feeling.

Merry Christmas! We can't wait to  launch dreams together in 2017! You are created on purpose & for a purpose!

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