I ran up the stairs and looked in each of the rooms as fast as I could, trying to be keep up with my older brother.
"This is my room!" I yelled, trying to claim the best one as quickly as possible. My mom had brought us with her to look at countless new houses. One of them would be our new home. As Mom carefully assessed every aspect of each house, I, as an eleven-year-old girl, was only concerned with one thing: which would be my room?
"In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be" (John 14:2-3).
What tender words Jesus speaks to us today. He knows how important it is to have a place and to have a space that is all our own. He makes room for us, knowing we need a place with Him, a place where we belong.
It is a basic human need to belong. We need a safe space to be, to rest, and to connect. The world seems to continually threaten our sense of belonging, safety, and connection. We may not even feel like it’s okay for us to take up space, to speak our voice, or to shine our light. How beautiful that Jesus goes to prepare a place for us.
Like my childlike excitement about which would be my new room, Jesus cares to prepare a place for us—both here on earth and eternally in Heaven.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me" (John 13:1).
He wants to be with us. We belong to Him. There is room for us. How can you be brave to take up space and allow God to show you how you belong? Have faith that He is preparing a beautiful place for you.
Journal a bit about these questions today and allow God to show you how you belong to Him.
Mary Catherine Craige enjoys spending her time creating art, writing, and playing her Irish harp. She uses her experience as a Montessori teacher and catechist to serve young children through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As a life coach for business leaders, she encourages and challenges women in all walks of life to more deeply discover their purpose and live their full potential. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.
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