Not Home Yet

A missionary couple who had served for many years in Africa were returning to the United States. Leaving Africa with broken health and no pension, they felt defeated, discouraged, and afraid. As it turned out, President Teddy Roosevelt was traveling on the same ship. Of course, it caused a great commotion as everyone tried to catch a glimpse of the president, who was returning from a hunting expedition. The missionary commented to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should we, who have given our lives in service to the Lord all these years in Africa, come back and not receive any fanfare or attention? And this man, who has done nothing more than just go on a hunting trip, is the center of attention. It just doesn’t seem right.”

When the ship arrived, a brass band played and the mayor welcomed the president. The missionary was so discouraged. “It isn’t fair,” he told his wife. “Why have we not received any attention or adulation for what we have done? God is not treating us fairly.”

She said, “Honey, why don’t you just go tell that to the Lord?” A little bit later, he was smiling. His wife said, “You look different. What happened?”

He said, “Well, I told the Lord how bitter I was that the president received this tremendous homecoming, while no one greeted us when we returned home. Then it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Son, you are not home yet.’ “

God sees those things you do for Him, and He will bless you. But remember, we are not home yet.