The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 ESV
When I was growing up, my favorite place to play was in my grandparent’s ginourmous back yard. There on summer evenings, my cousins and I liked nothing better than catching fireflies in jars and then watching them flick off and on in what seemed a magical display. We would stay at our game, no matter how late the hour, until my grandmother went out on the back porch and rang the big ship’s bell that my grandfather brought home with him when he retired from the Navy. No matter how loud we were shouting and laughing or how far away we were, the sound of that bell let us know that the time for games was over and we needed to come in and get ready for bed.
Today as we were singing the hymn, “Softly and Tenderly” the words of the chorus suddenly reminded me my grandfather’s bell. I could almost picture Jesus standing out on Heaven’s porch ringing a giant bell as His invitation to “Come home, come home. You who are weary come home.” He is calling all of us, no matter what we are doing or how far we have strayed from God. The clear ringing of that bell is still lovingly and persistently calling us home. Today’s verse spells out, not only an invitation to come to God, but also the wonderful promise of a refreshing river filled with life that waits for us when we come in. Don’t hesitate or linger at catching fireflies, because it is getting late. If you can you still hear His bell ringing; then drop everything you are doing and come home!
praise2worshipdotnet 
Beautiful!!!
Your post reminds me of a poem I wrote. Put it to music if you like.
Waiting for the Song
by David Kitz
The robin sits high in the old weeping willow—
Waiting for the song to come.
The old man sits on the old park bench—
Waiting for the song to come.
The sun sinks slowly in the western sky.
It’s waiting for the song to come.
We’re waiting for the song to come.
The young mom cries in the backseat.
She’s waiting for the song to come.
The broken man kneels at the altar.
He’s waiting for the song to come.
Children are crying for their Mommy.
They’re waiting for the song to come.
We’re all waiting for the song to come.
Jesus come and set the prisoners free. (bridge)
Heal our hurts and wipe away our tears.
Break the chains that are holding me.
Jesus come and set your people free.
We’re waiting for the song,
Waiting for the song,
We’re waiting for the song to come.
Drumbeat roll and the trumpet sound.
We’re waiting for the song to come.
Jesus come and set this world aright.
We’re waiting for the song to come.
Your bride is yearning for her wedding night.
We’re waiting for the song,
Waiting for the song,
We’re waiting for the song to come.
Trumpet sound and drumbeat roll—
I’m waiting for the song to come.
Come Lord Jesus. Your bride is ready.
We’re waiting for the song to come.
We’re waiting for the song,
Waiting for the song,
We’re waiting for the song to come.
The robin sits high in the old weeping willow—
Let’s wait for the song to come.
Beautiful David! I’ll have to give it a try thanks for the invitation!
I look forward to hearing the outcome of your musical efforts. (Feel free to make slight revisions for reasons of melody or rhythm.
The third stanza from the end should begin “Drumbeat roll and trumpet sound.”
Amen. Great analogy, Pastor Pete. Catching fireflies in fun, but it can’t compare with being forever in heaven with Jesus.
And I recall bringing the jar inside sometimes and putting it on my dresser when I went to sleep. How disappointing it was to see in the morning that they were just plain looking bugs!
I remember that too. Our days on the farm memories are similar.
This is just so touching. Thank you for sharing, and for both the urgency and comfort your story portrays.
So beautiful!
Thanks Dee. Have a blessed day!
You too!
What a beautiful picture of Jesus calling us home. 😊❤️
Some years ago I was in a play at our church about the Prodigal Son, and towards the end the choir was singing “Softly and Tenderly.” This post brings it all back…
Beautifully said! Such good awaits us.
Carole