Where is your citizenship? I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. I lived in Belfast until I was about a year old. We then immigrated to Canada, where I spent the next 11 years. We finally made it to the USA in 1974. Each of these countries I lived in shaped me to be who I am today. I guess you could say that I am a mutt who is not really sure where she belongs. I tease my children that I am probably one of the few people they know who can sing three countries’ national anthems.
British Citizenship
Even though I was only a year old when we left Belfast, I visited my extended family many summers. My parents and brother were the only families I had in the USA while growing up, so I loved to go home to visit. I would stay at my grandmother’s house. It was a row house with no indoor plumbing. The loo, as they called it, was out in the back garden area.
I can remember lying in bed in the mornings and hearing the milkman making deliveries in his horse-drawn cart. The clip-clop of the horse’s hooves and the rattling of the glass milk bottles are sounds reminiscent of my childhood. But unfortunately, the sounds of bombs going off and gunfire are also part of my childhood memories. A lot of my summers in Belfast were during the height of “the troubles.” Such events taught me about diversity and hatred and how they can destroy generations.
Time in Canada
Life in Canada was different from Ireland. I remember lots of snow. During one heavy snowstorm, our car became buried in snow in a matter of a few hours. But, everyone adapted to the weather. The elementary school I attended flooded the playgrounds with water so we could go skating all winter long. I headed off to school each morning with my skates slung over my shoulder. All that was great until the one time I did come home with a minor case of frostbite in my toes because I stayed out too long in the cold.
At Halloween, we learned to buy costumes in bigger sizes to fit over our winter coats. More importantly, we learned to use the restroom before we bundled up to go outside. Getting out of a snowsuit is no easy task. In Canada, I learned about making do in all circumstances.
USA Citizenship
Finally, we immigrated to the USA. After college, my whole family decided we should apply for citizenship status. This took a lot of study and preparation for the test and interview with the immigration department. I never realized how much work it would take to become a US citizen.
Finally, in June of 1985, I became a US citizen. It was a day of grand celebrations for my family and something I am so glad I accomplished. God has provided so much for me in my new home country. I learned that for those given much, much will be expected.
Heavenly Citizenship
We are all citizens of some country, either by birth or by naturalization. But as Christians, we have a citizenship that is far more important for us, and that is our heavenly citizenship. The things I learned living in each country taught me how to be a good citizen of heaven.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Lessons from Citizenship
Lesson One
Northern Ireland showed me the evils of hatred. People killed each other over religion and invisible lines that divided the island of Ireland. Christ taught me to love my enemies. In the gospel of Mark, we find the greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbors as ourselves.
“30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Lesson Two
Canada taught me to adapt to my circumstances. If not prepared, snow and cold could put a person in danger. My heavenly citizenship teaches me to trust God with the events in my life, and He will keep me safe.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Lesson Three
Life in the USA taught me about many things. This country may not be perfect, but it is the land of possibilities, and I feel so blessed to be here. However, with all the opportunities comes a responsibility to help our fellow man. My heavenly father teaches me that lesson in the gospel of Luke.
“But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Prepare for Our Final Home
When we accept Christ, He grants us heavenly citizenship. And, as citizens, we must spend time preparing for our eternal home. Just like preparing for my US citizenship test took a lot of effort, we must prepare for our heavenly citizenship. And, we need to remain faithful to Christ during the time away from the eternal home. Never forget whose you are, and that earth is not our natural home. Live for Christ, and you will see the rewards of that life when we reach our eternal home.
Prayer
My Heavenly Father, please help me to remember that this world is not my home. Please help me prepare my life for my eternal home with you. Show me how best to study and train daily. Thank you for the blessings You provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Excellent post on our true citizenship. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Craig. I think we sometimes forget about true home. God bless.
I love reading about your life. I didn’t know this information about you. Thank you for reminding us that our true citizenship is with God.
Thanks Melissa. I feel truly blessed by God. I am excited to meet you in our heavenly home someday. God bless.
Great post Ms. Yvonne. So many take our American citizenship for granted, as though it’s some type of endowment they are owed. Truth is, real Americans, native or naturalized, must work to maintain the uniquely American ideals and Judeo-Christian values that once made us the strongest and most altruistic nation in the world. Like you ma’am, I’m proud to be an American citizen, but my first allegiance, and my home, is Heaven. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thanks JD. We are blessed to be part of this country for sure. So many dream of making this their home. I hope and pray others develop this same kind of excitement to find out more about their heavenly home. God bless
You have lived a very unique life, not only in your childhood and your pursuit of citizenship, but also in your life of ministry to orphans all over the world. You are truly a global person in pursuit of service to Christ.
Thanks Melinda. God has provided me with an amazing ride so far. God can use anyone to do this kind of work for those who follow Him. God bless
Three “home” countries and an additional, permanent yet-to-be home to look forward to. They all shaped your perspective – both earthly and heavenly. And it shows in your ministry and writing.
Thanks Ava. Your comment made me think of the great quote by Mark Twain “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” God bless.
Great post. Thanks!
Thank you Michelle
Yvonne, enjoyed learning about your childhood and all the places you lived and how different they each were. This is a beautiful analogy to our citizenship in heaven!
Thanks Karen. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. God bless
I love that you have such a unique perspective, having lived in these three different nations! You are so right that our real citizenship is in heaven.
God gave me this perspective as a gift. Thanks Jessica and God bless
I love the account you provide. I was born in the same town where I still live But a couple of years ago, we went to Ireland–landing first in Belfast. I remember watching the news reports of those bombs going off. My heritage is mostly Irish. We crossed from Scotland to Ireland on a ferry. It felt like I was going home. I’d never before experienced such a feeling.
That is very cool. I love Ireland and it still feels like home each time I go. Scotland is wonderful too. I hope you can visit again someday. Thanks Nancy.