A old man arrives home alone, no one to greet him at the terminal. Tired and weary, years spent in service to a people hardened to the gospel. His ministry was not the usual fodder for front cover of Christian magazines — you know, the usual “success” story. No one back home wanted to hear his story. He had simply spent his life doing what God wanted him to do. He was not invited to teaching in the seminary chair of missiology or speak at missions conference—apparently, his story was not inspiring enough. He couldn’t muster a recollection of any great “outpouring” of the Spirit’s work.
A famous pop singer’s memorial last week was broadcast on 19 TV networks and drew an estimated 31.1 million viewers. He was talented, though, tormented man but was idolized by many.
A talented golfer, makes an amazing comeback from knee surgery and is destined to be the greatest athlete in his sport. A tennis star just became the winningest player in history and considered now (by other great players) to be the all time greatest.
A man arises from a bi-racial background, with charisma and intelligence (and with an Ivy league education and political connections) to become the leader of the most powerful nation on the earth and is lauded wherever he travels in the world.
A young man wins an annual hot dog eating contest (37 in all!) and is pictured in all major media outlets.
A boy wins the video game challenge to the admiration of his friends.
The old man returns home alone, no one there to greet him. Picture him sitting on his suitcase, with most of his earthly possessions. Discouraged, dejected, alone. Then a voice quietly speaks in his heart, “You are not home, yet.”
Earthly praise fades quickly as heaven praise approaches. All that matters is the acclaim of God, “Well, done, good and faithful servant.” That drowns out all inferior praise. That lasts for eternity. That is worth living for.
(Creatively adapted from an old missionary story)
#1 by Carl Lehmann on July 9, 2009 - 10:08 am
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Dear Chuck, Who was the “old man”? What missionary story did you get this from > —Carl
#2 by Terry Fredericks on July 9, 2009 - 6:16 pm
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Brother,
What a great story, a wonderful encouragement to all believers.
We live in a world that is so taken up by celebrities.
May the Lord bless your ministry
#3 by crgianotti on July 24, 2009 - 9:33 am
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Carl,
This was an old, old story I heard years ago and do not remember much of the details. It had to do with a missionary return on the same ocean liner than FDR was on returning from one of his heralded safari adventures. FDR had a band and great reception awaiting him, but the missionary had no one to greet him. That’s about all I remember. As my footnote indicated, the emed was an “adaptation”. If you know any further details of the story, let me know.
Blessings,
Chuck
#4 by Peter Kerr on December 31, 2009 - 9:45 am
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Hi Chuck,
I have found various versions of the story. Here’s one from http://hiddentreasures.wordpress.com :-
It is said that a missionary from a foreign field was sailing to the United States to retire. The ship also bore the President of the United States. While docking, a large cheering crowd had gathered to greet the President, while the missionary slipped off with no fanfare. In his heart, he began to wonder if his work had all been worth it. He had affected many lives but no one seemed to notice his homecoming. Soon his heart was pricked when God’s Spirit gently reminded him, “But my child, you’re not home yet!”
I also foung this song that dovetails nicely with the story:
There’s a better day a comin’
We’re not home yet
VERSE 1
This old world is filled with disappointments and trouble every day
Many times I get discouraged and I almost lose my way
Then I remember I’m just a pilgrim, in this troubled world below
That’s the reason I keep singing as I go
CHORUS
We’re not home yet children
So keep your eyes on the savior
Just a few more days to labor
And we’ll sit down beside the river
How we long to be with Jesus
And our loved ones gone before us
There’s a better day a comin’
We’re not home yet
VERSE 2
There’s a land filled with milk and honey, just waiting for me
Someday Jesus will come and take me over that sea
Then I must keep watching and waiting
In this troubled world below
There’s one thought that keeps me singing as I go
Singing as I go
CHORUS
Peter
#5 by Peter Kerr on December 31, 2009 - 9:52 am
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Hi Chcuk,
I also found this account at http://www.actsweb.org which identifies the missionary as Henry C. Morrison
After serving as a missionary for forty years in Africa, Henry C. Morrison became sick and had to return to America. As the great ocean liner docked in New York Harbor there was a great crowd gathered to welcome home another passenger on that boat. Morrison watched as President Teddy Roosevelt received a grand welcome home party after his African Safari.
Resentment seized Henry Morrsion and he turned to God in anger, “I have come back home after all this time and service to the church and there is no one, not even one person here to welcome me home.”
Then a still small voice came to Morrison and said, “You’re not home yet.”
#6 by Peter Kerr on December 31, 2009 - 10:00 am
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Sorry, me again …. I think I’ve found a true account of the original story this time:
Henry C. Morrison was a faithful missionary who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. He recalls that
emotional day when he and his wife boarded a ship on their way back to the United States. His mind
flooded with memories of the wonderful experiences they had enjoyed on the mission field. He began
wondering what it would be like to return to his Midwestern hometown. “Will anyone there still remember
us?”
Aboard that same ship that day with Henry and his wife was the President of the United States, Teddy
Roosevelt. He was returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa.
When the ship pulled into the New York harbor there were thousands of people there to greet the arriving
President. The crowds were cheering and the bands were playing. There were signs, banners and
billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home”.
The dear missionary and his wife with their luggage in hand quietly made their way to the deck of the ship
to exit. No one had come to welcome them back home. There were no bands playing or banners flying in
their honor.
Henry Morrison went to his hotel room with a rather heavy heart. As he sat there on the bed, he asked his
wife, “Honey, for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America
and not a single soul comes to welcome us home!”
His wife came and sat down next to her husband. She put her hand on his shoulder, and said to him,
“Henry, you have forgotten something, you’re not home yet!”
What great words those are! “We’re not home yet.” The songwriter put it this way, “This world is not our
home. We’re just a passing through. Our treasures are laid somewhere beyond the blue. The angels
beckon me from Heaven’s opened door. And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
You see, no matter what takes place here in this life, we are going home to Heaven someday. Our real
rewards are there.
When Satan causes us to question the futility of serving the Lord and giving our life to the work of God,
when he causes us to wonder if what we’re doing for Jesus really matters and if there’s anybody paying
attention, when he causes us become disappointed with others and frustrated with the lack of results, when
our heart wants to question and the trials of this world seem too heavy to bear, remember that we are going
home to heaven one of these days. The HEAVEN BORN are indeed HEAVEN BOUND!
We’re not here to stay. Our real home waits in Heaven. Paul spoke of it in Philippians 3:20, “For our
conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
May we live to hear His immortal words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Then and there, it will
be worth it all!
So, if no ticker-tape parade you ever get for your service for Christ . . . just remember that there will be a
welcoming party like you’ve never seen before . . . when all God’s Children make our grand entrance into
the celestial city called Heaven. Welcome Home!