Wayfaring Stranger

In my free time here at our Women’s Retreat, I decided to spend some time alone with God and my iPod Christian playlist on shuffle. Right now I’m listening to Wayfaring Stranger by Johnny Cash. It’s a song I can relate to. This life can be difficult at times. Even when focusing on the present would bring contentment, I sometimes remember the difficult times past, and ponder that there are likely to be more in the future. Today is one of those days. Today I am human and living on this earth that is not my home.

I am, as old Johnny once was, “a poor wayfaring stranger, traveling through this world below.” I am a bit jealous of Johnny because he’s already gone over Jordan, he’s already gone home. What a wonderful place it will be.

As with any journey away from home, there are wonderful times that I wouldn’t miss for anything. Life is like going to a foreign country where you get to experience new foods, visit beautiful sites, and meet new and interesting people. You might stay in 5 star hotels or camp in a tent, and either is okay because it is the journey that is important. But even on the most wonderful of trips there are times when you miss your home, sleeping in your own bed, cooking familiar food in your own kitchen, and showering in your own bathroom. You dread having to board one more plane or train, or searching for a decent restaurant for dinner (even having to eat in a restaurant can seem like a chore).

As great as life is at times, and even in this time of fellowship with my dear sisters in Christ, I miss home, my real home. I’m pretty sure it will be a long time before I go there, and that is okay. I have a lot to experience and see in this life. I want to watch my son grow and mature. I look forward to someday traveling farther abroad than Cancun, Mexico. I dream of growing old with my husband and meeting the grandkids I hope we have someday. But when this life is over, I look forward to going over Jordan, where “there is no sickness, no toil nor danger,” “where beautious fields arise before me, where God’s redeemed their vigils keep.” I look forward to someday going home. I hope I see you there.