They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord. Hosea 11:11 

Earlier in Hosea, God called His children silly doves. They failed to know where there true home was. “There will come a day when they will come trembling again to their houses,” God prophesies.   He offers them a pilgrimage back to their roots. 

A woman ceases to make God her home when she no longer believes He can offer her what she needs. The promise of the abundant life doesn’t seem abundant. There can be many reasons. 1.) She has experienced too much pain in this world and she runs from the One she believes is responsible. 2.) There has been no instruction on how to make God her home so she settles in distant lands, looking for anyone who will offer her temporary shelter. 3.) Satan has taken advantage of her vulnerability and offered her some counterfeit ways out of distress. 

Whatever the reason, leaving home is rarely a short adventure. It might span the first half of someone’s lifetime. 

There comes a day when God says ‘enough’. The fog of misunderstanding about who He is begins to clear and a woman shakes her head and realizes her folly. God’s true character materializes in full blown pictures within her spirit. Hunger for His presence is awakened. She prepares for her trip back to her roots. “Before the foundation of the world, I knew you.” Ah yes, she remembers the verse now. She realizes that the only place she belongs is at home with God. She comes trembling, with awe and excitement, to the land that has always been hers. She travels back to claim it with joy. 

Home is sweetest to the one who has been homeless. Seeing the lights in the distance makes hasten her steps. Walking over the threshold brings waves of contentment. It’s home. Everything is as she dreamt it would be.

It took me over forty years to finally find my home in You. I lived many places, emotionally, even though I called You, “Father.” I will never get over the deep soul rest You provide. Amen