My husband travels for work. Sometimes he's gone just for one or two days, and I hardly notice he was away because the kids keep me plenty busy. But when he's away for several days or more, I start to feel it. I finally notice the empty spot next to me in bed, and see the kids restlessly wrestling each other the way they usually do their dad.
Even if I'm busy with home-upkeep and kid-caring and errands and writing, there's just no way to mask the hole in our lives, in our home and in my heart when he is gone.
(Cue Daniel stabbing fist to chest with sound effects saying he just took a blow to the emotions--because that's what he does when I get gushy like that.)
All the while, I eagerly wait for him. I don't find a replacement, or get mad that he left. I don't get so immersed in our new way of life that I forget how much better it is with him in it. I don't write him out of my future, or quit talking about him or to him.
Instead, I keep a mental countdown of when he will return, ticking alongside my mental checklist of what needs to be done before that time. Clean floors and sheets so he won't wish he was back in his clean hotel room: Check. Groceries bought so our time can be spent relaxing rather than running stressful errands: Check. Kids and I showered and dressed so he knows we didn't hang out in PJs everyday: Check.
I keep doing what needs to be done. I keep doing my job. I talk to him daily and in a variety of ways throughout the day. I dream up small gestures I could do for him to show I care. I anticipate the day he comes home... to the point it's always on my mind, even when it's not. I eagerly wait to see him and hug him.
As Christians, we all have a loved one that went away. Christ rose from the dead, and when He did He promised He'd come back for us. We're waiting for His return. But what are we doing while we wait?
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. {Philippians 3:20}
If we are heavenly royalty (as God's children, we are), and if we are on our way to Heaven (Jesus promised to return for us), then shouldn't our sights be set to follow suit? Shouldn't our goals align with this one purpose? Shouldn't our pleasures help us in that endeavor--and if not help, than at least not hinder?
What are we doing while we "eagerly wait for the Savior"?
Maybe we could keep doing what needs to be done, and do it well. Maybe we could talk to Him daily and in a variety of ways throughout the day. Maybe we could dream up ways to show His children we care. Maybe we could especially look forward to the day He takes us home... to the point it's always on our minds, even when it's not.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. {Philippians 4:8}
