Forty Years

The number forty has so much significance in the Bible. Typically, it represents a time of testing or tribulation. The Israelites wondered in the wilderness for forty years. Jesus was tempted for forty days and forty nights. Recently, a friend of mine brought up this symbolism to me. I have spent the past forty years aching to return to my roots in California. A little seed was planted in my heart when I was a young child and it was watered and fertilized with love and prayers. But I was uprooted from my surroundings forty years ago and transplanted into a new place that was not as positive. Yet, my beginnings in California provided me with a foundation of love, joy and happiness. This fabric wove its way deeply into my life softening the tremendous difficulties I've faced over the past forty years. The memories of the fun I experienced with my cousins sliding down laundry shoots, riding horses, speaking a made-up language, visiting the ocean, spending time with my great aunts and grandparents were embedded deeply in my heart. These memories were my legacy that I clung to in the multitudes of difficulties I have faced in the past forty years. Now my heart is yearning to return to the place that has always meant so much to me. A week ago, I had the opportunity to reconnect with my family that has meant so much to me for so many years and it was a tremendous blessing! For the first time in forty long years I was welcomed back into a family that I has never stopped loving me. It was like a healing salve was placed on my heart. We played games, talked, shared memories and laughed together again and a wholeness returned to me. My heart aches to return to my roots. There is a restlessness inside of me that I simply cannot shake. Maybe it's time for me to return to my land of Canaan to live again. All I know is that God will lead. In the mean time I'm thankful for my wonderful memories and the amazing family that I have.

In Jeremiah 29:11 God promises, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." May we cling to this promise even in the midst of our hardships and difficulties. Indeed, He has amazing plans for all of our lives!