We just returned to Beijing from two weeks in Texas. We really enjoyed our stay there and it made us look forward even more to our retirement next year. Texas is “home” and where our closest family, friends and loved ones live.
Our one and only daughter lives there and we would love to be there with her and spend more time, when we don’t have to hurry back or on to somewhere else. There are lots of things we could do with and for her if we weren’t living on the other side of the world. We did what we could during our brief visit, but there is so much more.
Our three wonderful (great) grandchildren are big reasons we want to be in Texas. At 5, 7 and 10 years old, they are growing so fast. Each step in their lives is precious and we only see them in pictures (never enough) or hear about their adventures after-the-fact. They will never be the same again. That means anything we miss is lost to us forever. We spent two weeks making some new memories and getting to know them, but we will miss most of the details of the upcoming year.
In addition, we have other family and friends whose lives are passing us by. The Pastor of our home Church and his wife are in their 80’s and we treasure any time we can spend with them. Susan has two sisters that she loves hanging out with and we have many friends that we would love to see more often.
We do have friends and loved ones in Beijing, and we have seen places that we will never forget, but this isn’t home. We have a house that we want to make into a comfortable place to rest and make more memories. We love the food we can eat back home, and it is much easier for us to get things we need and want. With the language barrier gone, we can communicate so much better than we are able to in China.
With all these reasons to stay in Texas, we made that long trip back to Beijing. Why? This is where we need to be for the next year. I made a commitment to my boss to work with her for two years before retiring and I have one more to go. I am eligible to retire now, and we have saved enough money, but I have a commitment to fulfill. I also believe the LORD has more for us to do in Beijing. I’m not sure what that is, but we will try to keep an open heart and follow His lead. For now, this is “my place.”
That is the way I feel about Heaven. No matter what is going on here in this world, Heaven is where I would rather be. “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) so JESUS wants me to be here for now and since I made a commitment to obey Him, I will stay here until He calls me home. I believe the LORD has more for me to do here in this world, so I will try to keep an open heart and follow His lead. For now, this is “my place.”
Wayne Lance (2015) – That’s Good News to Share!