A couple of weekends ago Liz and I took our grandsons to Homecoming at Samford University. We had a good time eating Bar-B-Q, and watching Samford football. Liz and I are now considered “Golden Bulldogs,” i.e. alumni who graduated fifty or more years ago.
Homecomings, whether at school, or at church or any other venue, are good times of reunions. Seeing people we haven’t seen in many years, catching up on others and remembering the good times of the past. Homecomings also have an element of melancholy. We saw very few of the other “Golden Bulldogs” from our classes. The reality is, we receive word every couple of months or so of a classmate who has departed this life. This is not surprising for a group who can count fifty or more years since college graduation. The truth is, we are old and getting older.
This reality is a reminder of the great and final Homecoming we will experience. I don’t know your concept of Heaven, but we are taught in the Bible that we have a home in Heaven; Jesus is preparing a place for us. I personally believe that we shall know others and be known by others. This means family, friends and long lost classmates. I hope a bonus will be that we can remember all of their names.
In John’s vision of Heaven he reports “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, tongues…” (Revelation 7:9)
Now that will be some kind of a great homecoming. Be sure you can make it.
Grace and peace.
