We Have a Mansion

It was an unseasonably warm December day, so after lunch my husband, Brooks, decided he should take advantage of it and fish a while. He brought out all of his fishing equipment and let Silas, our German shepherd, out to roam about. As I sat on the back porch watching and doing a little writing, I recalled something my friend, Kathy said to me. In a conversation about my working on “The Pond”, she mentioned it would be a good idea for me to walk around the pond, noting differences in locations and scenery. What a better time to take a walk than right then, so I began my trek along to the far side of the pond.

How right she was! I took notice of the direction of the ripples across the surface, they were moving east to west. Normally, what I see is the north to south movement. From the back porch I can see several white “things”….on closer examination I found they were old stumps quite covered in mushrooms. Even though we’re into December, there are several bunches of still red leafed growths, along with numerous tiny and very delicate ferns. A whole other world than what I see daily.

I continued on to the opposite side and turned to look back across the pond toward our house. What a welcoming sight that was! Home! Waiting for me whenever I got back. As the afternoon turned to dusk the lights inside glowed warm and inviting through the windows. Similar to a Thomas Kincaid painting, you know the ones….golden lights shining bright from every window.

As I gazed upon the sight, the old hymn, “I’ve Got a Mansion”, came into my mind. The chorus goes this way:

I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop In that bright land where we'll never grow old And some day yonder we will never more wander But walk on streets that are purest gold.

This is not just in the songwriter’s imagination. God has prepared a place for those called by His name. His children, followers of Jesus Christ. We see this in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” This is spoken by Jesus to the disciples at the Last Supper. In later verses He goes on to say that He will come back for us, so that we may reside with Him for eternity. What a beautiful picture!

The home I saw today across the expanse of the pond, is not my permanent home. No, I have a place already prepared for me in Heaven with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Someday, as I step from this life into life eternal I will see that mansion waiting for me.

Is your home in Heaven? I pray that it is, but if you are not certain today, know that in an instant that assurance can be yours. Study John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him.” Love the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in Him and you will be saved. Your mansion will be ready for you!