Kim Wilbanks

Snowbirds and Leaf Peepers

Where I live, in central Florida, we have an annual phenomenon each winter — the arrival of snowbirds. In late fall you start to see more cars with license plates from northern states like Michigan, Indiana and New York. You can even spot a few cars from Canada. These northerners head south to spend the winter in a more favorable climate.

There is a similar phenomenon in the summer months, just in a different direction.  Many Floridians head to the mountains of North Carolina to escape the brutal summer heat and humidity of our state.  My husband and I were part of the migration this year.

Mountain Getaway

We have been visiting the mountains of North Carolina for nearly forty years.  In the past, our visits were short, a week or two at different times during the year. We started spending more time in the mountains once our children left us with an empty nest. Our dream has been to “one day” spend most of the summer and fall in the mountains. This year, we made a step in that direction by spending five weeks there.

It was a wonderful, relaxing time.  We enjoyed the cooler temperatures and the slower pace of life.  

We enjoyed good food, taking walks with our dog, driving on scenic mountain roads, listening to live music, attending fall festivals and visiting with new friends. We enjoyed a new pastime, Trivia Night at a local restaurant. We even won one night. We took a side trip to Nashville to welcome the arrival of our first grandchild.

The most interesting thing about our time in the mountains was witnessing the change in climate and the change in color. When we arrived in the mountains in mid-September, everything was still green and it was warm enough to hang out by the pool.  Over our five week stay, the green turned to yellow then orange and red — ever so slightly each day. By the time we left, many of the leaves had fallen off the trees, exposing vistas not seen for months.

Thoughts of Home

When the leaves began to fall and much colder weather was in the forecast, we knew it was time to go home.  I actually started thinking of home a few days before our departure.  I looked forward to seeing friends and family and the familiarity of my home.

We made one more trip to Nashville to see our grandson before going home. The travel was difficult, with many delays, but it was worth it to be able to hold that sweet baby boy again. It was hard to say goodbye and head south to Florida — another long and challenging trip.

It made me think of life.

We are all on a journey home — our eternal home.  We are often so busy enjoying the good things in life; family, friends, the beauty of God’s creation, that we forget about the journey. Then in the still quiet of an autumn day, we sense a longing in our souls, a longing for home. 

Like our journey to our home in Florida, sometimes our journey in life is filled with detours and setbacks.  Maybe it’s an illness or the death of a loved one.  Maybe the loss of a friendship or a dream. But, whether our journey is scattered with delightful things or fraught with difficulties, we are all on a journey towards home.

If you are a believer, do you sense that longing for home?

Here are some of my favorite Bible verses about eternity and our heavenly home. I hope they will encourage you on your journey. If you have any questions about this journey, I’d be happy to talk to you. Just send me a message. 

"Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many homes.  If it weren't so, I would have told you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also."  John 14:1-3 (WEB)

For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.       Philippians 3:20 (WEB)

For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.      Hebrews 13:14 (WEB)

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.      Colossians 3:2 (WEB)

He has set eternity in their hearts.     Ecclesiastes 3:11 (WEB)

I tend to write similar blogposts the same time each year. Click here to read one with a similar theme from four years ago. Enjoy.