Calling home…

I didn't always call home. I guess I could make excuses, say I was working, busy raising a family, trying to settle into life in a new country... the point is, there were people who loved me back home, waiting to hear from me. I'm sure I caused my mum and dad much heartache.

Now, I understand the frustration with my own children- I see them tuned out, tuned in to their phones, to the music playing in their ears, to the voices convincing them that wrong is right... I want to grab each child and tell them that they are beautiful, that they are loved; that I have only ever wanted the best for them; that I know I have not been the perfect parent, but I have tried... and I have asked God to fill in the gaps when I've failed; that I will love them through every moment, good or bad; that they will make mistakes, but that will never change the love I have for them...

How well my parents knew all these things! They patiently allowed me to learn, to figure things out for myself. They helped when they could, but they never forced their opinions, their way on me... much like my Heavenly Father! He has been patient with me, given me free will. Regrettably, there have been times I did not choose Him, did not put Him first, did not want His will for my life... so many times I did not call home!

So, here we are in the fourth week of Lent. These remaining days of Lent are a good time to check in with the One I love; a good time to ask for forgiveness for all the ways I've been blind; all the ways I've tuned Him out; all the times I've failed to be the child of God He created me to be. He is waiting to hear from me; waiting for me to seek Him and find Him, to listen to His voice; waiting for me to be still and know that He is God. After all I've seen, the countless ways He has loved me and worked things together for good in my life and others around me... do I have a good-enough reason not to praise Him and thank Him; not to call home.