I'll Be Home For Chrismas

I was born, raised and married in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  So even after moving to Arkansas and later to Kentucky, I would always refer to home as back in Oklahoma.  After all, that is where I grew up and all my family and my husband's family still live there.

But as I was re-reading the book of Ruth, I ran across something I had underlined 30 years ago.

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried."  Ruth 1:16-17

These words were a part of our wedding vows.  I was reminded that wherever my husband was, that was my home.  He and I became one all those years ago and as fond as I am of Oklahoma, my home is wherever he is.

When my husband Keith asked me almost 8 years ago how I felt about moving to Kentucky, I cried.  After living in Arkansas 4 1/2 years , we moved back to Oklahoma in a town just an hour down the road from Tulsa.  For 13 years, it was easy to make week-end trips there and the family up the road to see us.  When I learned there would be over 700 miles between me and the rest of the family, I thought it might as well be at the other end of the world.  No more week-end trips.  More like one week out of the year!  But there's that leaving and cleaving thing, and I took it seriously when I made those vows.  While still upset about moving, I went to my BIble and read the Ruth verse again.  I took a deep breath and said,

"Ok Lord, I'm ready to go."

Home is right beside my husband, wherever that is.  So yes, I'll be home for Christmas. . .right beside my sweetie.