Home sick for heaven

Hydan is my boss’s dog. He is a five year old black Labrador and a bundle of joy and love. He is a very well behaved dog who enjoys his walks, has a few teddies he protects and nurtures (most of the time) and is a friendly boy with everyone.

A little while ago I was asked to look after my wee black lab friend. I picked Hydan up on a Sunday from my boss’s corps (church), and spent the afternoon working with him in the office with me. That evening we went home, had tea and went for a walk. He was very energetic and the walk varied between me walking and running with him. After a good game of fetch he came back home and pottered about the house a bit before going to bed.

The next morning we went on a morning walk and then I took him with me to work. On Mondays I work at my Boss’s corps and so, I loaded the dog in the car and strapped him in, and set off down the road.

When I got to work I released the dog and he came into the building and looked for his master, my boss. The problem was, my boss wasn’t here (he was away on a course for a few days). Hydan searched all the way round the building but couldn’t find his master, he settled in the office with me and a colleague and looked absolutely devastated.

For the rest of the time he was with me, he never recovered the joy and the spark he usually has. He missed his master, and though he tried to hide it, the play, the walks and the belly rubs were just not quite the same.

As we walked along the beach one evening, and I watched him trying to catch some sea gulls, I was reminded that Hydan was acting how we should be. You see, this world is not our home nor our master, we know this in the same way that Hydan knew that I was not his master and my house was not his home. However comfortable my home was, and however much love and belly rubs he got from me, I would never replace Hydan’s master.

It’s the same with us, we can love others and make the world a better place, but at the end of the day, this place is not our home, and our heavenly master can never be replaced in this world by any imitation.

I see the bright light shine

It's just about home-time

I can see my Father standing at the door

This world has been a wilderness

I'm ready for deliverance

Lord, I've never been this homesick before

Dottie Rambo, Jessy Dixon