HOME

In the last few months I've gotten to tell my story several times. The thing that has stuck out to me again and again as I was telling it: HOME.

I went to give blood the other day (it's one way to save a life) and they asked me to confirm my address. I spouted off four addresses before we landed on the one they had on record. In the past five years I've had a least five different addresses and that's not counting Europe. And in the past five years home has come to mean so much more than an address or location...

2008 was a year of transition, to say the least. It contained my last two semesters of college, a study abroad adventure, the death of my Papa, a nannying position in the Grand Caymans, a Jr. High Poverty Simulation in Waco and a bad case of pneumonia and that was all before August! When August did come around and I was beginning my final semester of school, with the economy taking a bit of a nose-dive and no plan on where to go next, I was feeling a little shaken up. It was funny though my worries weren't as much financial, it was something more, something deeper.

I needed a home, a place of belonging and I wasn't sure where that was or was going to be.

I felt like I had outgrown my particular place in Waco, I was very involved in my church and in serving there but studying abroad had opened my eyes and heart to a grace I had never before experienced or witnessed. While my place and time in Waco was precious I knew that season was coming to an end. And my mind was awhirl with the possibilities, promises and fear of it all.

If it wasn't Waco, where was I supposed to be? McKinney? I hadn't really put roots down there in the year and a half before college. Midland? That was now five years/a lifetime ago. But Lord, You call us to spiritual family, You call us to a body, where is mine? Where is my home?

My heart ached with this question. But I was somewhat confused, all of my life I have wanted to be a missionary, to do mission work; isn't part of that not really having a place to call your own?

Fast forward a few months, I had interviewed with a few people and was standing in a worship service in Keller, TX.  I was worshipping my God, thanking Him for what He was doing, choosing to stand in faith and sing even though I had no idea what the next step was.

"Darling, your home is wherever I AM." And just like that, peace.

This is a concept that I'm still learning. While I have a set address in Keller and an amazing spiritual family and a taste of home, this isn't it. This is a reflection of a whole I have yet to fully experience. Same for you, you're not created for this Earth, your heart longs for perfect union with your Creator.

One of my favorite songs by Hillsong has a line that I love, "We run to Your throne, where we belong..." That sense of belonging and sense of home can only be fully fulfilled in Him and I am so grateful for that fact!

He is HOME.