He is always available for us

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Prayer is a kind of calling home every day. And there can come to

you a serenity, a feeling of at-homeness in God’s universe, a peace

that the world can neither give nor disturb, a fresh courage, a new

insight, a holy boldness that you’ll never, never get any other way.”

-- EARL G. HUNT, JR.

I loved the different houses that I lived in while growing up.

Even though some have been remodeled, I recall how most of them

looked. I remember the different rooms indoors, and all the best

places for hiding when we played hide and seek. I remember where my

favorite books and toys were, and where I found chocolate chip

cookies. I recall the backyards, too; what the swing sets were like

and where our playhouses were. I can almost smell the fresh wood of a

playhouse that I loved that was also a clubhouse, a hideaway and a

cozy place to read.

There were also times during my growing years that I was home sick

for my family and home. Sometimes it was when I was at a sleepover at

a friend’s house and I missed the comfort of my own bed. I usually

had a trusty teddy bear with me at the time, but the bear couldn’t

always soothe a nightmare. I said prayers quietly to myself, and if I

woke up afraid during the night, I held my bear tightly and prayed

some more. Sometimes I was away for a longer time at camp or visiting

relatives. Even if I had a great time and loved who I was with, there

were moments when I missed home, usually at night when I was tired. I

always knew I could tell God my thoughts and prayers, and I sensed

his presence, but sometimes I just wanted a hug from home.

Sometimes I called home, and just hearing my parents’ voices gave

me the inner security and strength I needed. I’ve enjoyed our homes

and years of prayers since then, and I recently had the fun of seeing

another answer to prayer. Our daughter Amy started a new job and

moved into an apartment in San Francisco with four other wonderful

young women. We’d prayed for guidance about her choices and

decisions, and it was great to see how the pieces came together.

Last weekend, my husband Jon and I visited Amy and her friends and

their apartment feels like a special and cheerful home. We enjoyed

talking with her friends and learning about their lives. We had fun

walking, talking and running errands with Amy and hearing about the

many exciting things in her life. We enjoyed meals out, meals in and

visited a new church. We talked about anything and everything. We

laughed, we prayed and we talked some more. We walked to a beautiful

spot where we could see San Francisco Bay in one direction and the

ocean in the other. We walked briskly back as the temperature began

to drop. We miss her but are thrilled for all God is doing with and

through her.

Amy has moved away, but we still talk. Whether I am with loved

ones or not, I can always talk to God, and inwardly, I feel his

peace, as if in a home away from home.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.