A Scouting publication some time ago made reference to a clinical psychologist by the name of Christopher Thurber, Ph.D. He observed that ninety-five percent of children between the ages of 8 and 16 who attend a resident camp report some feelings of homesickness on at least one day.
Twenty percent of those kids report moderate-to-severe feelings of homesickness. Seven percent experience homesickness that is so severe that it produces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Kids can get homesick. Adults can too.
I believe that sometimes we are homesick for God, and don’t even realize it.
Jesus told a wonderful story about a boy who left home with an early inheritance . . . and he blew it all. He finally “came to himself” and realized that he needed to come back home. (Luke 15)
Are you, perhaps, homesick for God? Let me encourage you to read the Gospels. I would suggest that you begin with the Gospel of John. Let that homesickness draw you closer to God.
If you are not active in a church, allow me to invite you to join us at First United Methodist, as we draw closer to God each Sunday as our Heavenly Father whispers to us, “I miss you and can’t wait for you to come home.”