Dan was 10 years old. He had no problem conjuring up a clear memory of his Father. How he missed him! His dad had been gone almost a year now. He knew his younger brother, Mike, also remembered the fun they had with their dad leading the way into woodland adventures or curled up at his feet by a campfire. Often Dan heard muffled sobs from the twin bed across the room before falling asleep. He knew that Mike missed dad, too. But Lucy, his baby sister wasn't old enough to remember Dad. She was almost two now, and Dan had told her many stories of the adventures he and Mike had been on when dad was home. He knew she wouldn't understand but it kept his memory alive.
As far as they knew, Dad was still alive. He had dressed in his uniform one day and packed a duffel bag. The family had loaded into the car, and dad had driven to the train station. After many hugs and tears, he had jumped onto the train and was soon out of sight. He was headed out to serve his country. It was hard going home that day knowing dad wouldn't be there. Each day at dinner mom would set dad's place at the table and ask the boys to straighten the house just in case he might come home. There hadn't been a lot of communication except an occasional letter with weeks old news, but each one was treasured and read again and again! The last one they had received had said that Dad hoped to be home in a couple of months. That had been a month ago, and each day the boys had awakened with the thought that maybe today would be the day. How they longed to have Dad's strong presence in their home again!
This scenario has been repeated over and over through the years. Sometimes children saw their dad's come home alive. Sometimes they were in a flag draped coffin or sitting in a wheelchair minus limbs. God knows that our hearts long for the presence of loving parents.
After Jesus died and was resurrected, He said he had to return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could come. His spirit would be His presence with us during the time before He would return. He dwells with us in the temple of our hearts because of that Holy Spirit. It is more than just a memory. It is the same abiding sense of His reality that we would feel if He were physically present.
The word "Sukkot" means booths or huts. The kind of temporary place that might be moved suddenly. In our homes we seek stability. We miss loved family members in their absence, and we long for their return. Our Father promises us He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. Our lives here on sinful earth are temporary. But Father is a moveable God! No matter where life takes us He will dwell there with us. It is in HIS presence that we find stability when everything else may feel unstable.
As I contemplate the theme of "God dwelling with us" during the worship and festivities of these Hebrew Fall Feasts; I am glad that God chose the simply built booths of wood and tree boughs to represent the place of His dwelling. If he had chosen a mansion, I would not have qualified as a dwelling place for His Spirit. Instead of waiting at a house of brick and mortar, I can have His presence wherever I am! If I am on the move, He is there. If I find myself feeling stuck in circumstances I don't understand, He is there. When troubles come and I do not know where I will land, I can trust that My Father will be there when I do land!
Dan and his siblings were thrilled to have their dad home from the war. I am sure that the presence of their father came with the expectation that their former good times would now continue. I don't know if they did. Many a man and his family have been changed by the trauma of war. Life is uncertain and change is the norm. We need a Father who moves with us. One who never leaves us no matter where we are! The Holy days of Sukkot ensure that this is the kind of Father we have!
Hebrews 13:5 "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
