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On the way home

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Already in 1864 and 1865 Lina had published two collections of poems, called "On the way home". In 1868, when she had a very difficult course of her lung disease, she believed that the hike would soon end, and that she would soon reach her heavenly goal. When the forces nevertheless returned, she wrote this song:

I am a guest and pilgrim, As those who've gone ahead,

On earth I have no homeland, My home's in heaven instead.

In heaven with my Father In glory and in light,

I'll live in joy forever In splendor e'er so bright.

 

CHORUS: Home, home, dearest home,

There is no place on earth here

As dear as this sweet home.

 

There dwells my Savior Jesus, Who died on Calvary's tree,

Who bore my sins so gladly That I might be set free;

If joy would be like flowers Strewn on my pathway here,

Still I would long to reach it, My home in heaven so dear.

 

Sweet-smelling, fragrant flowers May be on every hand,

Sweet warbling birds in numbers May sing throughout the land,

Dear, loving friends may greet me With warmth and joy and cheer, But still my heart is longing For that blessed home so dear.

Tr. E. Einar Kron

The picture shows Lina's father's "workhouse", the pastor's expedition in Fröderyd, which now is the Lina Sandell Museum. The tall tree is the old ash, where Lina used to sit and write poems among branches, leaves and birds.

Lina resembled life here on earth to a pilgrimage. On the road you'll find the three symbols, which speak of the pilgrim's support, help and protection: the staff, the bag and the hat.


The staff says we get lean against God on our way to heaven. He is our support.


The bag talks about the spiritual bag of provisions. That's the Bible which helps us manage to the goal.


The wide-brimmed hat is the protection against the burning heat - the sign of God's protective hand.

When you break new roads, the willow herb comes along the roadside. Lina wanted to break new roads for God's work, and she did so through her writing.

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