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Sunday:

    • 8:30 am Sanctuary
    • 10:30am - Sanctuary
    • 10:30am - Walker Hall
    • 6:30pm - Walker Hall
    • 8:30 &10:30am - CHURCH ONLINE

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  • Phone:  
    714-288-4400
  • Email: 
  • Sanctuary Address
    185 S. Center St.
    Orange Ca  92866
  • Walker Hall Address
    184 S. Shaffer St.
    Orange Ca 92866
  • Mailing Address
    154 S.  Shaffer St.
    Orange Ca 92866

 

 

Letters from Home

Posted on with 3 Comments

It happened! It finally happened! For weeks I have been waiting, watching and anticipating it and on Thursday God delivered His answer to my prayers. In my mailbox. Yes, buried beneath a stack of flyers and bills I saw it. It was the corner of a plain white business envelope but there was more to it than that. It was the writing. I knew that handwriting like a mother knows her newborn’s cry. It was a letter from my son! The first communication we have had from him in weeks! I literally dropped everything and let the bills and advertisements fly all over the place as I grabbed that letter and held it close. Yes, there were a few tears too – those happy tears of joy that spill out just like laughter down my cheeks. My son, my son! Oh how wonderful to hear from you!

You see our son Jon set off a few weeks ago on an adventure that he has wanted his entire life. He is currently going through Army basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. Now being a military mom already, with our firstborn Chris recently returning from his second deployment with the Marines, I have a pretty good idea of what it means to see your child join the military. But the distance and lack of communication makes a difficult situation even more difficult. Receiving this letter from Jon meant he now could receive letters from home and feel more connected to us and to life in general. 

As I thought about Jon’s letters (we’ve now received another one!) I started contemplating about what a treasure it is to have a personal, written note, addressed to our family from someone who loves us and longs to be reunited with us. And yes, of course, that picture is clearly one of what God has done for us! In His infinite love and wisdom, God recorded His word for us and it is called the Bible. One of my favorite terms for the Bible is it is God’s love letter written to His children. And as His child, I eagerly open it to read my Father’s words. I feel Him talking to me, sharing His love, wisdom, instructions and even warnings for me. He encourages me with hope and gives me His perspective on my life. His words bring me life and joy and He commands me to not just read them but to “fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds” Deut. 11:18. He tells me that although we are separated for now, it is only a little while until we are reunited in the biggest best family reunion ever!

As I put my finishing thoughts on my letter to my son, I wonder how he will feel when he sees his first letter from home. Will he be as excited as I was when he sees the familiar handwriting? Will he will eagerly read every detail and pour over every word to feel truly connected to me? Will he re-read it, picture it in his mind and go over all of the daily activities of life back home that are now just memories? Will he imagine that wonderful time when our family is reunited? I am certain of it! Receiving a letter from home helps to shorten the distance in our relationship and connects us in a personal, intimate way. I think that was part of God’s intention when He had His words recorded for eternity in the Bible. It’s His letter from our heavenly home, encouraging us on our journey as we wait for our ultimate reunion. I think I will pick up that letter again, and let His words paint for me a picture of our reunion. It won’t be long!

 

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. Deuteronomy 11:18

 

Susan Mitchell
Family Ministry Facilitator

 

 

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Comments

Lara September 23, 2016 11:21pm

So beautiful and poignant!

Adriene September 25, 2016 11:41am

Susan,
This is so beautiful !! ♥️

Sandy September 26, 2016 8:19am

Thank you for your inspiring words, Susan. You are a treasure!