Homesick (Hope*)
Luke 21:25-36 | 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Read: This is what Paul wrote to his friends in the city of Thessalonica while he was away:
“We pray that we can see you again and give you all the things you need to make your faith
strong. We pray that our God and Father and our Lord Jesus will prepare the way for us to
come to you. We pray that the Lord will make your love grow more and more for each other
and for all people. We pray that you will love others as we love you and that your hearts will
be made strong.”
—1 Thessalonians 3:10b-13a (ICB)
Wonder: I wonder what Paul was feeling when he wrote this letter. I wonder if you’ve ever
felt those feelings, too. I wonder what you do when you miss someone. I wonder if you’ve
ever missed your home. I wonder what it feels like to have to leave your home.
Say: The good news is that God is always with us, even when we are away from home, even when
we miss the people we love, and we can wait with hope for the day we get to see them again.
Pray: Let’s pray. Dear God, we pray for the people we love who are far away from us. We pray
for everyone who misses their home or who can’t go back home. Keep them safe until we can
see them again, and make their hearts strong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Extend:
- Write a letter to or draw a picture for someone you miss seeing. Ask a grown up for help
mailing it to them.
- Tell a story about a place or activity you miss. What did you love about it?
- Read The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield. United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln
Children's Books, 2016.
- Learn about the lives of refugees. Find out what organizations serve refugees in your
community and learn more about how you can help.
* Note: Younger children may have never been away from home, especially with the pandemic putting a
hold on many sleepaway camps, sleepovers, and vacations. The concept of “homesick” might need some extra explanation for children.