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COLUMN

Are we there yet?

by Joni Eareckson Tada

When I was little, I’d love it when the whole family would pile into the station wagon and head off to Uncle Doug and Aunt Fran’s dairy farm up in northeast Maryland.

All of us kids loved Uncle Doug. He let us milk the cows and feed them grain. It was so much fun to reach out and pet the soft, wet muzzle of a cow munching away on her cud.
The barn brimmed with hay where we could build forts and throw straw. And out in the back acres, we’d have “tomato wars” with big, juicy overripe tomatoes. We’d be in trouble, of course, when we’d come into the farmhouse for dinner, all covered with tomato, but it was part of the fun.

It really wasn’t that far to Uncle Doug’s in the car – maybe only 50 miles. But for some reason the trip seemed to take forever. Not more than 15 minutes into the drive, we would lean over the front seat and whine: “Are we there yet? When are we gonna get there?” and “Why is it taking so long?”

That memory came back to me recently when I was studying the book of Numbers in the Bible. Freshly released from four centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were filled with visions of the Promise Land. What a home it would be! Freedom … elbow room … a place flowing with milk and honey. It sounded too good to be true.

Thoughts of that beautiful country must have filled their heads those first mornings as they would break camp, pack up, and wait for the trumpet to signal another day’s march across the Sinai Peninsula. But just three days into the journey, the Bible tells us they began to complain. I can just picture them whining to Moses: “Are we there yet? When are we gonna get there? Why is it taking so long?”

They must have made the trip miserable for Moses who knew they had a long way to go. And much like us kids, they lacked patience. They despised the boredom of plodding along at what they felt was a very slow pace. Could it be the same for you and me when we think about heaven, our promise land? Does that place of “no more tears or pain” make us unsatisfied with our lot on earth? Are we tired of the same old routine every day? Do we think: “When are we ever going to get there? Why is it taking so long?”

I thought about this this morning as I spoke to Aunt Fran on the phone. She is 88 years old now and just buried Uncle Doug – her strong, dairyman-husband - last month. When I called, I found her in tears. Be encouraged today with what I shared about heaven with Aunt Fran this morning …

Are we there yet?

No, not yet. Not quite. But every day brings us closer.

When are we going to get there?

In his time. At the best time. Perhaps sooner than we would expect.

Why is it taking so long?

Our loving God must want us home more than we want to be home. Yet there is work to do, people to reach, and a Saviour to follow down the long, winding road of our remaining days and years.

When we finally turn into heaven’s driveway and see him waiting at the open door, the long drive won’t seem long at all.

It was enough to help Aunt Fran smile. And I bet you, too.

Joni Eareckson Tada is an internationally acclaimed author, singer and artist. Paralysed for more than 35 years, she serves as an advocate for disabled people worldwide. Her UK organisation is Through The Roof (CH), PO Box 353, Epsom KT18 5WS (01372 749955)

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		COLUMN Are we there yet? by Joni Eareckson Tada When I was little, I’d love it when the whole family would pile into the station wagon and head off to Uncle Doug and Aunt Fran’s dairy farm up in northeast Maryland. All of us kids loved Uncle Doug. He let us milk the cows and feed them grain. It was so much fun to reach out and pet the soft, wet muzzle of a cow munching away on her cud. The barn brimmed with hay where we could build forts and throw straw. And out in the back acres, we’d have “tomato wars” with big, juicy overripe tomatoes. We’d be in trouble, of course, when we’d come into the farmhouse for dinner, all covered with tomato, but it was part of the fun. It really wasn’t that far to Uncle Doug’s in the car – maybe only 50 miles. But for some reason the trip seemed to take forever. Not more than 15 minutes into the drive, we would lean over the front seat and whine: “Are we there yet? When are we gonna get there?” and “Why is it taking so long?” That memory came back to me recently when I was studying the book of Numbers in the Bible. Freshly released from four centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were filled with visions of the Promise Land. What a home it would be! Freedom … elbow room … a place flowing with milk and honey. It sounded too good to be true. Thoughts of that beautiful country must have filled their heads those first mornings as they would break camp, pack up, and wait for the trumpet to signal another day’s march across the Sinai Peninsula. But just three days into the journey, the Bible tells us they began to complain. I can just picture them whining to Moses: “Are we there yet? When are we gonna get there? Why is it taking so long?” They must have made the trip miserable for Moses who knew they had a long way to go. And much like us kids, they lacked patience. They despised the boredom of plodding along at what they felt was a very slow pace. Could it be the same for you and me when we think about heaven, our promise land? Does that place of “no more tears or pain” make us unsatisfied with our lot on earth? Are we tired of the same old routine every day? Do we think: “When are we ever going to get there? Why is it taking so long?” I thought about this this morning as I spoke to Aunt Fran on the phone. She is 88 years old now and just buried Uncle Doug – her strong, dairyman-husband - last month. When I called, I found her in tears. Be encouraged today with what I shared about heaven with Aunt Fran this morning … Are we there yet? No, not yet. Not quite. But every day brings us closer. When are we going to get there? In his time. At the best time. Perhaps sooner than we would expect. Why is it taking so long? Our loving God must want us home more than we want to be home. Yet there is work to do, people to reach, and a Saviour to follow down the long, winding road of our remaining days and years. When we finally turn into heaven’s driveway and see him waiting at the open door, the long drive won’t seem long at all. It was enough to help Aunt Fran smile. And I bet you, too. Joni Eareckson Tada is an internationally acclaimed author, singer and artist. Paralysed for more than 35 years, she serves as an advocate for disabled people worldwide. Her UK organisation is Through The Roof (CH), PO Box 353, Epsom KT18 5WS (01372 749955) © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.