Ou' Side Longing

12-14-2020

Was there a typo on my weather app? A warm day in the middle of December? Yes, please. I made sure my daycare kids brought shoes and jackets so we’d be able to play outside later that afternoon. We tend to go crazy being inside all the time, but today I was guaranteed a nice break while the little ones enjoyed the outdoors.

“It’s a nice day out,” one child hinted early in the morning.

“Yes, it’s going to be about 70 degrees,” I said.

“Can we go outside?” another child suggested.

“After it warms up a little,” I told them. “Probably after snack time.”

“No! We want to go out now!” Soon they were chanting against my decision.

“It’s still chilly,” I tried to remind them.

“We don’t care,” I heard one of them speak for the group.

“Yeah, I broughted a jacket,” another one replied.

“Ou’ side! Ou’ side!” a toddler added.

This was getting out of hand. Six tiny children were switching from peaceful protest to angry mob. There was no way I was taking them outside yet.

“We’ll go outside after lunch, after snack. Right now, it’s circle time! Everyone clean up and go over for circle time!” I commanded.

“Yay!” the oldest shouted to my relief. All the children followed suit with only mild complaining and headed to the other room to learn a little bit about the letter “S” and to read our Christmas counting book.

The rest of the day was full of anticipation for going outside. Their moods were good knowing they’d get to play in the fresh air and dry dirt. They do well when we get to go to a new location...especially one full of God’s creation.

Soon, we were all outside in the cool shade. They began shooting dinosaurs to protect me and my house. Velociraptors were going to pick me up and put me on the roof, but I had a couple of heroes fighting them off for me.

The plastic chairs were pulled over to the deck railing and used as a lookout over the ship’s edge. Magic wands were thrown into the ocean, and kids were repeatedly saved from drowning in the waves.

One child ran as far as he could toward the wooden privacy fence that enclosed our backyard. They gathered together and paired off. All on their own, they decided to hold hands in couples and run down the slight hill to the other side of the yard. They smiled and giggled their little hearts out.

Wanting, waiting, and finally enjoying. It’s heaven to me.

Wanting to see Jesus face-to-face. You know the feeling you get when you really click with someone else. They understand you when you’re oddly emotional or having a difficult time explaining what you’re thinking. You have the same love for justice and the same interest of unity for all nations. But with Jesus, it’s that connection on the greatest level you can imagine. He knows you better than you know yourself, and you know Him at a worldly level. Now, you see and know Him on a heavenly level.

Waiting for the home He’s prepared for me. He said He’s making a place for me to dwell in heaven. They say home is where the heart is. Think of a home that is not just welcoming and full of love, but it is the epitome of love. That’s the kind of stay-at-home that I am waiting for.

Enjoying a life with the extreme presence of God. He is so holy that human eyes can’t look at Him, and even a glimpse of where God had just passed by left Moses’ face shining. To be allowed into a beautiful realm like that is overwhelming. I cannot fathom a place where God and angels and creatures unknown are with insignificant me. There might be colors I can’t name or feelings I can’t describe.

As a child goes through a day inside yet seeking the outdoors, so I go through life on earth yet seeking heaven. I want it. I can’t wait for it. I will enjoy it.

Psalm 73: 25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”