Familiar mountains welcomed me, their leafy trees a green blanket across the rolling terrain. I breathed a sigh of relief. It wouldn’t be long until I was home.
I love to travel. I spend several weeks a year driving throughout the southeast, visiting friends and family. It’s a special treat when I fly to Phoenix and hang out with my friends there, and it’s a fabulous blessing to join some of them in Israel every March. But there’s something comforting about being in familiar surroundings. It puts my spirit at rest.
As I finish teaching through Joshua, I wonder if Caleb experienced that same kind of spiritual rest when he walked through the hill country of Canaan. The fertile pastures and bountiful springs impressed him.
“This will be perfect for my family,” Caleb must have mused.
Only one thing stood in his way: the giant Anakim. But Caleb wasn’t worried; they were no match for his God.
As it happened, the Anakim weren’t the only things that stood in Caleb’s way of settling his family in Hebron. The doubting, fearful Israelites kept him out for 40 long years.
Poor Caleb. Forty years of wandering.
Forty years of waiting.
Forty years of dreaming.
At last, the time came for Caleb to realize his dream. He confidently approached Joshua and made his case. He trusted God to bring him into the land 40 years ago, and his faith hadn’t wavered. Neither had his strength and fortitude. Moses promised to reward his faithfulness by giving him Hebron, and he was ready to take on the Anakim and settle in his home.
Joshua honored Moses decree, extended his blessing, and Caleb and his family drove out the inhabitants and settled in Hebron.
I envision that scene and the feeling of relief as Caleb led his family toward their new home. They hiked past the cave at Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried, and pressed on until they entered the city. 
Dropping his bags as he stared in wide-eyed wonder. “Finally,” Caleb sighed, “HOME.”
I can’t help but dream about the day when God’s children experience the ultimate rest. When our Savior ushers us through the gates of Heaven, I have no doubt we’ll stare in wide-eyed wonder, amazed at a place designed especially for us by Christ Jesus.
“Finally,” we’ll sigh, “HOME.”
I can’t wait to stand in the presence of God, in the heat of His brilliant glory. I also can’t wait to see what my mansion looks like. Knowing Jesus prepared a place designed specifically for me brings such joy. I’m sure it will be a perfect reflection of how He sees me and all of our creativity combined. Oh, to hear the angels sing! Holy, holy, holy!
I can only image
Thanks for stopping by, Alycia!
Oh Susan, I loved this post! What excites me most about heaven? Tough question! I’d have to say seeing Jesus for the first time, and the fact that I’ll be able to see my friends and family ever! Love you!
I’m excited for you to see too, Jamie. How wonderful that your first image will be Christ Jesus in glory – I can’t wait for us to be united around the throne!!
Wow, where to begin? Seeing Jesus face-to-face, spending an eternity praising Him, sharing eternal life with loved ones…and let’s be honest…who isn’t looking forward to their glorified body?
Beautiful post, Susan.
I’m with you, Cathy. How fabulous will it be to have a body that doesn’t ache or fail! But eternity with Jesus and all our friends? PRICELESS
There are times when I find myself longing to enter my eternal home. Just the thought of complete peace and joy is enough to make me, like Paul, anxious to go home. But I leave my departure time to Him, and pray He will cause a worldwide revival.
Me too, Bruce. I’m ready to go anytime, but would love to be part of a revival! Thanks for stopping by today
Beautifully written, Susan. I can see and feel your heart in this post. Oh, what a glorious day that will be when we finally get home! I have to admit, there are days on this earth when my longing for heaven is so real. When the conflicts and struggles of this world overwhelm me, when it seems some things will never be resolved and relationships will never be mended, I long to simply go home. Not in a suicidal or depressed way at all, but it’s simply that Heaven gets sweeter by the day.
Thank you for the reminder of what we have in store.
You’re so right, Vonda — Heaven DOES get sweeter by the day, and I think about it a lot. I imagine we’ll just stand there in stunned amazement. And some of us will be speechless, which will be pretty stunning in itself
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
What a wonderful read and truly a great blessing. Also, we are reminded of God’s promise of our heavenly home. Thank you for blessing me!
Fay
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Fay!
Best thing to think about early in the morning! HEAVEN!! Wonderful reminder of what is to come, thanks Susan!!
Thanks, Sandi. I know who you’re anxious to see
Susan,
Well said.
To be home with our Lord . . . our final place of rest. Thank you for sharing your insight through Joshua. God bless you Susan,
Love, Hester
At home with the Lord. Could there be any better place?
Thanks, Hester. Hugs out to Washington today!
For some reason, these lyrics came to my mind as I read your post:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace….
I think of all those forty years that Caleb had to turn His eyes upon God while he waited, and what a powerful and encouraging example he is for us….
Heaven–our beautiful final resting place; Jesus–where we can find rest while still here on earth.
Thank you for another beautiful post and for Showing and Telling it at Cross Moms.
Love and God Bless,
Christy
Thanks so much, Christy. And I love that old hymn. Nothing will be better than looking into the eyes of our Savior. What a day that will be!
There’s nothing like home. And to think of the joy that awaits in our eternal home is mind boggling. Thanks for this!
Thanks for stopping by, Christina. MercyMe is right — I can only imagine!!
Hugs from VA
Oh can I ever relate to this post! We came back from a trip a few years ago where we had been packed into a small home with several others. When I stepped into my house, I felt like I could “breathe” again! All the stress of the togetherness and living on top of everyone – as fun as it was – was suddenly gone as I entered familiar surroundings and comfortable chairs.
I have a friend who went home last week after a long battle with brain cancer. She came to know Jesus through bible study just 3 years ago, but in that time, her faith grew like crazy. In the bulletin, they printed a prayer found in her bible after she passed. It was a prayer of gratitude for all her life here encompassed to be sure, but at the end she wrote “And when the time comes to go home, I will be ready.”
What I most look forward to about heaven…it’s hard to boil it down to one thing, but I think it would have to be the realization of all that we have hoped for in Christ, and to be in his constant, physical presence, gazing on his face, worshiping at his feet in constant celebration.
Thanks for the thoughtful post this morning – loved it!!
Thanks so much, Jeannette. What a great testimony about your friend’s faith. And you’re right — how awesome will it be when our faith is made sight! I think about it a lot and glad I could get some other folks thinking this morning
Can’t help but sing “I Can Only Imagine.” Longing for home!!
Love you!
I know, right?? I should’ve posted the video at the end
Love you too, sweet friend
Though I love travel, I’m always at ‘unrest’ when I’m not at home — and I add layers of work to departure to make sure everything’s done so that my return home isn’t dampened by a visual list of things to do. How sweet it will be to arrive at HOME and see Jesus seated at the right hand of God, for then I’ll know there’s nothing more to do than worship Him forever.
Amazing thought, isn’t it? Perfect rest for the soul coupled with unhindered worship. I can’t wait
Thanks for stopping by today, Kirsten!
This was beautiful. So thankful I linked up after you for Wordfilled Wednesdays so I knew to read. We’re all on our journey Home, aren’t we….may I always feel the longing for Heaven…
Welcome, Nikki! I’m so glad you linked after me too — I love how the Lord connects us through link ups! I’ve found that longing for Heaven makes the drudgery of earth more bearable. Thanks for stopping by today!
To think of heaven as our home is the very thing that excites me! To know it will be the most pleasing, fitting, fulfilling experience, and that it will never end. How can you not be excited? It reminds me of what my 10 yr old said this past month as we ended our family vacation. “It’s been great, but we have a home.” Now that’s a great perspective of our journey through this life.
Hi Jeanette! I’m so glad you’re back, and I’m glad you shared your son’s thoughtful words. Out of the mouths of babes, huh? Hugs to you from VA
Home. *sigh* Sometimes it feels so close.
Yep, Tereasa. “No mind has imagined…” and it’s going to be magnificent!
I’m always glad when you stop by
At the risk of sounding juvenile, I am looking forward to experiencing earth the way God intended–like Adam and Eve did before the Fall. I just think that will be amazing!
Thanks for linking up with WIP Wednesday!
Mary Beth
Me too, Mary Beth — To see the earth redeemed from the Fall will be incredible! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks about those things
Thanks for stopping by. I love WIP Wednesdays!!
“Finally,” we’ll sigh, “HOME.”
Just reading your post left me feeling a little homesick.
Won’t that be a glorious day, when we’re finally truly at home, with Jesus?
Thank you for sharing, so beautifully, a glimpse of that homecoming!
Thanks for stopping by, Joe. You’re right – the glorious reality of Heaven will be unfathomable!!
What beautiful words and like Dorothy says in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” I have enjoyed reading the comments from others, comforting to know that there are others who long for Him and our true home. Blessings to you!
Thanks, Kim. I’m glad I could get others to think in that direction today. I think it helps keep things in perspective!
Hi Susan,
I’m here because I’ve seen your comments on Vonda Skelton and Edie Melson’s sites. I was so blessed by your blog about our home awaiting us in heaven. We have so much to look forward to. Seeing Jesus of course face to face for the first time and the glory and splendour of that beautiful city would be at the top of my list. Also, my parents, grandparents, brother, aunts, uncles, etc. are there already. what a day that will be! The best is yet to come! Thanks for sharing!
Welcome, Glenda — thank you for stopping by! Vonda & Edie have been such great encouragers to me, and I’m honored when their friends visit. I’m glad you enjoyed thinking about Heaven with us, and I’m with you — the great reunion that will come is something I look forward to!! I hope you’ll visit here again!
Hugs from VA
Susan
I too long for that feeling of being home when I get to heaven. The longer I live on this earth and move from state to state, the less it feels like home. Even though we’ve now been in this house for almost 6 years, the longest we’ve been anywhere, even it doesn’t feel like that permanent home so many people seem to have. And I’ve come to be glad about that because I think it keeps me more focused on my true Home.
I always enjoy having you visit, Kay. You’ve adopted a great attitude about all the moves you’ve had to make –> letting the unsettled feeling keep you focused on our real home. It’s going to be unspeakably fabulous
Thanks for stopping by today!
Thanks for stopping by my blog Susan! And thanks for the reminder that there really is no place like home!
Glad to have you here, Nicki — Hugs from VA!
Having spent the last two months living with my sister and brother-in-law I’m looking forward to moving into our new “home” on the 28th. Being able to unpack and rest in a place to call my own has filled me with anticipation. How much more wonderful it will be to find peace in my “heavenly home”.
Wonderful post, and thank you very much for linking it up at NOBH. Blessings to you!
Thanks for stopping by, Lynda. Isn’t it fun to take a mental break and think about our heavenly home? I hope all goes well with your transition and getting back to normal!
Hugs from VA,
Susan
Gives me God-Bumps just thinking about that incredible moment that awaits us!
Me too, Jennifer! Thanks for stopping by
What excites me about heaven? Other than seeing our Lord and worshiping and praising in reality instead of just staring at the ceiling or sky… seeing family and friends during my life and others I’ve respected historically or scripturally for years. Heart touchers, encouragers. One of my main prayers is that as soon as I’ve finished my service to Him here, could I please go There. I’ve known some people who want to be sure they’re here until their grandkids are married, etc. Nope. Just want to be There. AND I don’t like pain, stress, diseases, etc. However, I know that whatever is opening that Heavenly door, the “key” may be something I won’t like.
It was fun to hear about your travel. I have sometimes done it several times a year to different locations in our nation and a few others. Now, not so often. And reaching home? Oh, YES!!! If nothing else, I miss my husband so much by then I can hardly stand it that I’m crossing the time zones the add an hour instead of removing one. Makes me want to scream! Bless the work of your hands.
And, yes, Caleb went through SO much, but was a consistent believer, family leader, godly man. [another one I'm looking forward to meeting.]
I’m so glad you stopped by, Joanne. I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends and family too, and it’ll be fun to meet the Bible heroes. Caleb was amazing — 85 years old and still ready to fight! The only thing I’ll be fighting at 85 is gray hair
The joy of being in Jesus’ presence forever more. The fact that there will be no more sadness, sin, sickness, death. Being re-united with family.
These are some of the things which excite me about Heaven.
It’s good to have you here, Wendy! Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad we can think about something joyful and glorious, especially when life is crazy.
Hugs from VA,
Susan
There truly is no place like home, but I am so glad I walk with the Lord every day, because he makes my life on this earth a true joy even when the devil is trying to whisper in my ear. I am so inspired by your posts. Thank you for giving so much.
Glad you stopped by today, Amberr. I keep you in my prayers
I can’t fathom how people manage without a relationship with Jesus. I think it’s why the world is so crazy.
So fun to find you through Jen’s link up! I love your imagery in this post- and appreciate your question. What excites me about Heaven? I think, more than anything, I can’t wait to experience a heart truly at rest- no holes, no gaps of fear or discontent. And then His eyes. I can’t wait to look into my Savior’s eyes
Welcome, Alicia! So glad you’re here, and I SO love what you shared — being at REST and, of course, those EYES… could anything be better than that??
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Sending you hugs from vA
Just getting there will be good enough for me/ Sometimes I am a little anxious, and excited all the time.
Me too, Dad. I get real lonesome to see it sometimes
I’d have to say seeing Jesus too. And giving Him a big I love you hug!
Visiting from the link up at ‘Leaving a Legacy.’
Yes – a BIG “I love You” hug!! Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
Beautifully written! We go to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for our big family vacation each year. It is our family’s favorite place to be. We begin anticipate the next year’s trip the day we arrive home. When we drive into Myrtle Beach there is this glorious feeling. Almost like “ah I’m home!” As WONDERFUL as this feeling is, I know Heaven will be 100 times better! What a glorious and incredible thing to look forward to!
What a fun family memory! We have a similar experience when we gather with family at Thanksgiving. In fact, I used that to explain Heaven to my kids when they were young. But you’re right — it won’t compare to how it will be in Heaven!
Thanks for visiting and sharing that memory, Jenifer!
Wonderful post! I can’t wait till we’re in Heaven. I know it will be more beautiful than we could have ever imagined! Just makes me sigh thinking about it.
Thank you for your encouraging word and for linking up with Legacy Leaver Thursdays.
Blessings~
Shari
Thanks for stopping by today, Shari. Looking forward to your Thursday link-ups!
Hugs to you from VA
I just found your blog on Edie’s site through comments. This is a great post! I’ve never understood why people don’t want to think about and research what Heaven will be like. We research vacation destinations where we will be spending a week. We will be in Heaven for eternity! I’m reading a book now for my 9-year-old called Heaven for Kids so I can begin stirring that desire in her.
Hi, Celeste – Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I love that you’re teaching your daughter about Heaven. I haven’t seen Heaven for Kids, but Randy Alcorn’s books are so good.
Thanks so much for visiting today.
Hugs from VA,
Susan