When you’re a native Michigander like myself, everyone travels “up north” for summer vacation or a weekend getaway. “Up north” ranges anywhere from a one-hour drive to an all-day trek in a hot car.
You pack a picnic lunch.
You endure the parking lot that is northbound I-75.
You ask, “Are we there yet?” at least two dozen times.
But once you arrive at your destination, it’s heaven.
For my family, heaven was my grandparents’ two-story cabin. Their home became the family vacation hub for forty years. It housed anywhere from four to 15 family members at any given time. We frittered away decades of summer days by fishing, swimming, biking, roasting marshmallows, and laughing.
That home saw my cousins and I grow up.
It witnessed new family members be born.
Its walls stretched with each new union in marriage.
The cabin endured growing pains and loneliness when life got too busy and coordinating schedules prevented us from spending time together.
Decades of summers came and went and those lazy, loving days at the family cabin became memories. Last summer, life at the lake took a different turn as failing health and cancer threatened to take both my grandparents.
It eventually did, but not before we all gathered together, one last time before life’s warm summer ushered in a cold snap and harsh winter, and said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa within four months of each other.
When life as you know it abruptly stops, it can be tempting to look to the past and then put down stakes there.
It’s familiar.
It’s comforting.
It’s predictable.
However, as I’ve been drawing close to God during this tough season, He’s been gently teaching me that the summer memories created in those cabin rooms are not simply gifts to warm me up when life gets chilly. They’re intended to shine light on the life that’s coming for you and me.
Jesus spoke of an eternal life that makes any summer family vacation pale in comparison.
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. (John 14:2-3)
Praise God that’s the destination available for all of us. Although fond memories give us comfort knowing where we’ve been, I’m learning the focus should be on where we’re going.
The home that was full of smiling and reminiscent family members last summer is now nearly empty after we sifted through eight decades of memories. It will soon be ready for another family to move in and create memories of their own.
It’s difficult to face the reality that those cabin rooms that housed me as a child will never hold me that way again. Yet, God reminds me that any room in our family’s summer home can never compare to the one my grandparents currently own. And it will never hold a candle to the home He’s prepared for me.
That’s one trip “up north” I don’t intend to miss.
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I’m 54 and even now I’m always thinking of the past wishing I could go back do things differently, I don’t know why because I know what was then had led to know and I have a lovely family and home. I think it must be inbuilt to think the grass was greener 😉
I’m so glad God used your past to give you the family and home you have now! And I can definitely relate. I am a classic over-thinker and go back to those past moments and mistakes more than I should. Thank God He is patient with me and I am learning to let go of the things that aren’t good for me. God bless!
Katie,
I have similar summer memories of lazy and fun weeks spent at my family’s lake house in WV. I grew up there; my children laughed, swam, and tubed there; it was woven into our pasts. But, like you so beautifully pointed out, our past is not our destination. I like to think of it (the good memories) of hints or glimpses of better things to come. I think God gives us glimpses of our Heavenly home to instill in us a “home sickness for heaven”. Sure there are good memories here, but they will be nothing compared to what is in store for us. I try to stay focused on the eternal especially when life’s storms surround me in the present. I trust God when He promises….It will all be worth it! Lovely post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, Thank you for your kind words! I definitely feel homesick for Heaven these days. Glad you have wonderful memories to warm you up, too.
Since reading Keeping Place by Jen Pollock Michel, I’ve been tossing around in my head this notion of PLACE and its importance in our lives as believers. My story is very different from yours as there is no rootedness to the past, but I’ve put down some very deep roots in this tiny piece of real estate we’ve called home with our four boys for the past two decades. I love the way you’ve tied our rootedness here on earth to our ultimate home with Jesus. So much good stuff to ponder here, Katie.
I’m glad you’ve found your footing with your wonderful family, Michele. The book you mentioned sounds like a good one to add to my reading list. And thanks for your kind words!
I read this this morning and cried. My parents moved to another state last year after my dad retired from being a pastor for 50 years. For months I couldn’t even drive past their old house. Now my husband has presented to me that he wants me to move too, away from my children and grandchildren. I immediately rebelled against this idea, it was just too much!
But then The Lord spoke to me, as He often does. And I became “willing”
That’s all He wants from us, a willing heart. So my memories will be made in different ways if we go, and I know He will hold my heart.
Thank you so much for your post!
You are welcome! And you’re right – change is the most difficult when we move from “all we’ve known” to something new. God bless.
Loved the closing line of your devotion, “That’s one trip ‘up north’ I don’t intend to miss!” What a comfort and joy for Christians to daily travel true north, realizing our Savior is anticipating our scheduled arrival. Thanks for your encouraging thoughts.
You’re welcome. I often need reminding that this world is not our home; it’s simply the place to get us ready for an eternity with Him.
What wonderful family memories to cherish, everyone doesn’t have that. Looking forward to heaven and room and peace for us all.
Me too! =) I pray that people who don’t have good memories will, with the help of God, start making some of their own.
Katie, as a Michigander for half my life your post resonated! I love your encouragement to have a forward focus. It’s a confirmation of the things God is teaching me along a brand new and difficult journey. I appreciate this. Thank you.
Thank you and you’re welcome. Isn’t Michigan (minus February and most of March) the best? =)
Beautiful post, Katie, conjuring up summer memories of my own centered around home–picnics, afternoons at the community pool, reading under the willow tree, family reunions, and more. You are so right: the pleasures we remember from idyllic times (were they really?!) of the past will pale by comparison to the glorious life we’ll enjoy in heaven. And even if we get to experience the Rapture, there won’t be a traffic jam on THAT northern route!
See you there! =)
Oh how this post resonated with me today, Katie. Thank you for sharing it…all of it. The memories and the changes; the sadness and the hope. It was exactly what I needed to hear today.
I’m so glad. Thanks for your kind words.
Hey Katie,
A Petoskey resident here Loved your story! Mine continues here but have had many losses in the last 7years. To cherish the wonderful memories is such an encouragement. Still weeding through the ones to keep and the ones to let go of. But focusing on where we are all going is such a comfort and a so hopeful. Thank you And yes! Michigan is the greatest!!!!
Another Pure Michigander! Awesome!
Weeding through less than wonderful memories is tough. Although Scripture offers much comfort, I find solace in a line from “Everybody Loves Raymond.” =) It’s Robert and Amy’s disaster wedding and Ray makes a toast to “editing.” He hopes his brother and sister-in-law will someday be able to edit out the troublesome parts of their ceremony and remember just the good times. Keep editing. =)
Hi Katie and Jenn!
I am another Petoskey resident saying hello to you from a beautiful summer.
Katie, I love your “editing” view. We are in the growing phase of life, with kids and land to prosper and grow, and family and friends who visit frequently. But it has not always been “roses”. We have experienced some pretty deep valleys over the last 12 years, however, it has been a strong force to “edit” each experience into something good. Something powerful. A compass to point us to a “TRUE North”. To a God who writes our stories and maps out our journeys. Praying for you both as you transition.
~kathy b
PS – if either of you ever wants to meet up, just private message me and we can get coffee or something. I would love to meet other (in)couragers and writers.
Kathy – That would be wonderful! You can send me a private message on my Facebook ministry page (search “Uncomfortable Grace” or email me: katieheid10@gmail.com
Katie,
I don’t have fond memories of summer vacations. I,too, am guilty of looking at the past & wanting to go back & change some things. I realize it is to late & I shouldn’t lament that which was. Instead I should look forward to a gorgeous home with many many rooms & life with Jesus. This world is making me homesick for my ultimate home in heaven. I am ready to go any time He wants to come!
Blessings 🙂
We are never meant to get too comfortable on earth, that’s for sure. I know that God will use anything to nudge us closer to Him and our Heavenly Home. Hang in there. Much love and blessings.
What a touching post. It reminded me of my parents’ home, the home I was raised in. Similar to your story, our family would often gather there for times of joy, laughter and fellowship. It was beautiful. When my father passed and my mother moved, even her brand new space was challenging to embrace as we did our old family home. It’s a sweet reminder that they all pale in comparison to the mansion that awaits us on high.
Thank you, Monica. Whether changes are abrupt or gradual, they are often never easy. Blessings to you.