In My Father's House

Today is Veterans Day, and I celebrate all of you reading this who have served the country—thank you for all you have done! As a Navy brat, I have always been so grateful for the many life lessons that were afforded me by growing up with a parent in the service. I want to give a special shout-out to my father today, my favorite veteran, and I would also love to share a recent insight my childhood experience allowed. I hope that it will bless you as it blessed me!

My husband and I recently took a trip to Savannah, somewhere I’ve always wanted to experience. What a unique and lovely city—there is so much history and beauty there, and I hope you get the chance to visit sometime. Not many cities in the USA have so much of the original footprint still in use, and parts of the town date back to the 1730’s. The layout is fascinating and unique, and I loved every minute of our time there. One morning, we were able to spend some time walking through an interesting old fort nearby, which reminded me so much of some of the bases we lived on in my childhood. I guess there is just not a whole lot that can be changed about a military compound, no matter the era or the branch of service! 

I am not a veteran myself, nor have I studied military science, so I make no claim of anything beyond casual observation. I was born to a serviceman, and spent my entire childhood with my family on many bases across the country. From what I saw, it seems that a base needs to be relatively compact so it is easy to guard and defend. It must have space to store and repair and quickly access equipment and weaponry. And it needs to have a place for all of the personnel to sleep, eat, and use the facilities, with bonus areas such as a chapel, officers’ and enlisteds’ clubs, commissary, athletic facilities, and even an occasional movie theater or bowling alley. 

That recent morning, we were standing and looking over a huge area that used to contain the town which supported the actual fort back in its mid-19th century day. All of those structures are long gone, but there was a sign (how patient my husband is while I read every single sign!) which had an artist’s rendering of the old village. On one end were the stables, enlisted quarters, and all of the accompanying services. On the other end, further from the potential danger of the fort itself, were the officers’ quarters, hospital, restaurant, commissary, and chapel. In the middle of this nicest and safest part of the village was one house, larger and significantly more beautiful and comfortable than all of the others, for the commanding officer of the base. And it was right then that the Holy Spirit dropped this scripture into my ear…
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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

I can picture this, because I have experienced something like it here on earth…

My favorite veteran, sometime in the late 1980s.

​I have lived in the captain’s quarters, and I know just what it means for your father’s house to be an amazing place to dwell. I looked at that map of the old village and my heart was so warmed as the Lord reminded me how wonderful it feels to know that you get to live in the beautiful, best home. My childhood experience is one that every follower of Christ can look forward to, only infinitely more so—you belong in the Father’s house!

If you were to read a little further in that passage in John 14, you would see that this is when Jesus tells His disciples that He is actually the way to God. All of us who have believed that Jesus is God the Son, who have accepted the truth that Jesus is the only way to the Father, have found the way to this home—to God’s house. What is it like to live in that most beautiful house? Let’s try to imagine, looking from the perspective of the children in that 1800s captain’s home…


-All of the children who live there are safe and comfortable. They are cared for, not sparingly but lavishly, by kind and caring agents of the lord of the manor. They are treated and viewed with special care and honor--not because of what the children themselves have done or not done, but simply because of who their father is. 


-No matter what is going on in the world, the children are safely kept home in the well-defended house. Their father is the one who goes out to fight, backed by the efficacy and entirety of the greatest force ever assembled. 


-More, the children in that grand house never have to worry about whether there will be enough to eat, or a safe place to lay their head, or enough to pay the bills, or what might happen in the future, or any other difficult adult dilemma—their father takes care of all of those things. 


-It doesn’t matter what anyone else says or thinks of the child, or even what the child thinks of himself.  No one can take away the reality that they are a son or daughter of the lord of the home, and therefore entitled to all of the rights and privileges of such. 


-The house itself is beautiful and so comfortable—the finest wood floors and paneling, beautiful cabinetry and decorative flourishes, shining light fixtures and exquisite detail in every room. There are reading nooks and places to sit and look out at the perfectly manicured yard on every side of the house. The garden is filled with the most luxurious flora, filling the whole area with their lovely scent, and adding color and beauty in every direction. 


-The bedrooms upstairs are plentiful and spacious, with room for each of the children of the house, as well as for any weary traveler who happens to find themselves taken in by the lord’s hospitality. The rooms are large and well-appointed, each with a fireplace and large windows to let in plenty of light and air, with the scent of rose and wisteria floating up from the garden below. 


-And the center of the home is the enormous dining room, serviced by the kitchen and its well-stocked pantry. Very often, the whole house is filled with delicious smells and happy laughter and conversation as the expansive table is set and packed with family and important guests and dignitaries from near and far. The table’s host spares no expense to feed and entertain and treat the people gathered at the feast. 


Just being in this wonderful house makes a daughter or son stand a little straighter and taller, experiencing the dignity that comes from being a child of the lord of the home. Of course, with the many blessings and privileges come some real responsibilities, but that is an idea for another time. For today, the thought is that the children of God get to live in God’s wonderful, beautiful, safe, protected, luxurious house. Right now, for all of God’s children around the world, this is a spiritual reality, but one day it will also be a physical reality for all of us, and it will last for eternity! 


In the meantime, take some time to think about what this truth means for your life right now, today. You are a daughter or son of God the Most High. Through your faith in His faithful Son, He has welcomed you into His courts and into His family. Read the amazing truth of Romans 8, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”


Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!! Sufferings in this life do not mean that you have been forsaken—rather, often just the opposite. You are a beloved child of the King, and invited to share everything He has, now and forever. Nothing can separate you from Him and His love and care for you. You get to live in His house, and when you’re safely in His home, no enemy or foe can actually touch the real, spiritual you. All they can do is push you closer to your Father, which is always a wonderful thing. 


No matter your age, you are a child in His house. You don’t need to worry about anything at all, as your Father has all you need and will take care of you. You are safe, you are protected, you are seen, you are valued, and you are deeply loved by the most important Person in the universe -  welcome home!

​Very exciting news coming so soon—watch this space for a new release in time for the holidays!