The world is being turned upside-down and inside-out. Our very roots and foundations are being shaken. There is no safe place, only safe relationships.

This picture was taken at the entrance to See Canyon. This is the way to my earthly home. I stay mostly at home now due to the coronavirus restrictions, but when I’m out and about, I always take a deep breath as I pass underneath the arching branch of this oak. I know I’m almost home, and it feels so good.

After a restful night’s sleep in my cozy bed—with breaks to answer Mother Nature,  play with pictures, and chat with God—I wake up to sounds of chirping birds and a babbling brook. The morning stretch is followed by a dip in the hot tub with my beautiful wife. Wow, Heaven on Earth, until...

My list of things to do includes phone calls to make, medical appointments to keep, medicines to pick up, gophers to kill, weeds to pull, painting that can’t wait much longer, bills to pay, a dog to feed, vet and grooming appointments to make, groceries to get, windows and clothes to wash, floors to clean, things galore to fix, trash, organize, store, and more, more, more! You get the picture. You likely live the picture.

As mates, we look at each other and say, “How about me? How about us? Let’s pray.” The most important things often suffer at the expense of the most pressing, expedient things. We could spend our limited time in so many ways. Priorities and choices battle in our brains.

I am so disgusted with the pain, suffering, and death I see, hear about, and feel. I have so many things I would like to do, so many things I should do, and a few things I must do. But I have so little time and limited energy.

I feel like a caged bird wanting to fly as I was created to do. I’m tired of this emergency. I want to get out. This Heaven on Earth is sometimes Hell. I count my blessings by the zillions, but this home is not my home. I am only homeward bound.

Dear God, thank you for the many blessings You have given us. Thank You for being in us and letting us be in You through these challenging and overwhelming times. Thank You for pointing us to the joy of restoration now and eternal salvation. This day we give You our hearts, souls, and minds. Amen.

—Larry Smith