Recently I spent 7 days in beautiful South Carolina with some of my closest writing friends, including my two talented mentors--Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck.

I had an amazing time in a gorgeous house set on the Intercoastal Waterway where tranquility reigns and responsibilities waned. For 7 days I had no alarm clock, no tugs on my hip, no "Mom, where's my .... " or "Honey, have you seen my..." And you know what? I missed it.

Getting away refreshed my spirit and enabled me to bond with my writing friends, but there's no place like home.

By the time I passed through security and waited at my gate for my flight to take me north, excitement danced in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't wait to see my husband, my sons, and my Little Darlings again.

But, of course, come Friday morning, I was missing the tranquility of the retreat house. After I had arrived home and looked back to my vacation, it seemed as though time had flown by way too fast. I had a temporary stay in South Carolina, but my permanent address was 15 hours north of The Palmetto State.

God's Word tells us our time on earth is temporary. Although we may think living 80 or 90 years is a long time, it's just a speck in God's time.

For those believers who know Him and love Him, He is eagerly awaiting our arrival in our heavenly home. If I consider the beach a paradise, imagine when I walk with God on the streets of gold in His paradise.

Your Turn: Have you gone away and left your family at home? What did you enjoy most? What did you miss? Where is your favorite place on earth?