Ruby shoes...

Ruby shoes....

There are times when traveling, it would be nice to be home or there are times when home, it would be nice to be traveling.

I was reminded of this recently.  The picture came to mind of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, who was told to click her ruby shoes together and say,  "there is no place like home, there is no place like home" and she was there.  When you return from a voyage, it seems like all a wonderful dream, but it is nice to be home, too....

I am sure that the Israelites might have wished for those ruby shoes traveling across the desert for forty long years; or Noah in the boat for his voyage; or Ezra or Nehemiah from their posts to Jerusalem; or various traders in olden times; or paul on one of his many journeys; Christopher Columbus to the "new" world; or any of the travelers either ancient or present.  The routes of our journeys sometimes seem long and tedious.....and we long to be home...or we wish the journey not to end...in peaceful bliss...

..but we have much to learn on each journey...we see new people, new places, experience new emotions, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings....some we may wish to repeat and others not....we have pictures in our minds or actual photos which are important to ourselves and maybe others....but journeys...nonetheless....

I have watched my parents and husband take their final earthly journey to their heavenly home.  Each journey entirely different from the other...some painful, and some not...painful for those watching and at loss to help...knowing that they would beyond the earthly pain and not remembering it.... No ruby shoes there to click...to wish away the pain or sorrow...we rejoice at their home going, but remain here, living, feeling, learning until our journey heavenward...for God's purpose and plan....whatever that may be.....

Thank YOU for the journeys, past, present and future....You are there with me through them all, the hard ones, the fun ones, the learning ones....You have provided graciously on each journey ....thank you....

Deuteronomy 2:7
The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.


Ezra 7:9
He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.


 Isaiah 35:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,

1 Corinthians 16:6
Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.