Finding Home …
There’s a weaving and a wandering to life with many twists and turns along the way. The highways become like the tape of a reel-to-reel motion picture with a cast of actors merging on and exiting off at different mile markers.
In the coming and going, finding home seems hard. You lose your compass or in a moment of frustration, you throw it out the window.
Where is true North or does it even exist? The familiar landmarks get torn down and you find yourself looking for that ancient path that leads you home …the path marked out for you.
And in the search to dig down roots, the voice of the Father says, “You’re going to be mobile.” It didn’t make sense then. It does now.
The coming …the going. The leaving …the staying. The settling in …the building of homes …planting gardens …growing relationships … all mixed together with leave it all and “follow Me.”
And life becomes more like my “Purple Heart-Wandering Jew Plant” …always meandering about, but always looking up — stretching toward the Light with hopes of blooming wherever planted!
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Finding beauty in every place under the heavens you might find yourself residing…
From birdhouses outside the assisted living home where mama lives …
to butterfly bushes along the sidewalk trail at a state welcome center …
…trusting the Father to equip you with every good thing needed for the journey. Living all out yet being all in…
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
And the words of Jim Elliot become another deeply embedded carry-on to always-feeling-at-home …
Wherever you are, be all there.
Jim Elliot
…embracing others along the way as brothers or sisters on a similar journey who need to be noticed, heard, loved, encouraged. A word spoken here …a word spoken there …planting seeds of hope and healing …Life! Finding wherever you are right now is always a significant place to be… rest stops, gas stations, auto repair shops, fast food stops, back yards or front porches or any place someone calls “home”.
…hearing the voice of God in surroundings and responding to His nudge. Realizing every place is a possibility to give hope and healing as well as receive His surprise gifts that might be needed for today’s journey.
The weaving …the wandering …the fullness of joy!
And the planned destinations don’t always satisfy. It’s the holy moments along the way that breathe life and contentment …the unexpected detours and the scenic overlooks …the miracles from the Father, hand-picked just for you.
And the truth in finding God is everywhere! Enjoying His presence that fills every crack and crevice in the universe …finding there’s no place you can ever travel that His presence doesn’t go with you …filling every space…speaking from every platform whether brick and mortar or grassy mound or waters deep. There’s always something to hear for the listening ear.
And anywhere can become a sanctuary to enjoy His presence …
From my brother and sis-in-law’s lush Australian “Garden-of-Eden-like” back yard …
to a metal chair surrounded by concrete and cinder block walls …
His voice is heard all around. Listening …hearing the birds sing His praises …feeling the breeze blow across your face…letting the sun warm your being and knowing “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
And always having a soundtrack playing in the background …filling your soul and letting your soul feel at home…the scores of notes and melodies carrying you along the road of life!
…being with others and witnessing the glorious moments between here and eternity. …a week here — a week there …and many stops in between. And there’s a comfort in His presence that allows a sweet comfort in the presence of others.
And Jesus! …finding He’s the only One who will truly never leave you or abandon you. He’s always there. He’s your traveling Buddy and place of rest at every spot you lay your head.
The anxieties are still real. The ache and pain of loss are sometimes more than you feel you can bear. There’s no formula– just the latest chapter in the journey but the story is not finished yet.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
And finding the bottom line is this …
Find your home-place and really live there. Everything you need will be provided for the journey. Wherever that is, be all there, enjoying the sanctuary of His presence with Bible and coffee in hand. It will sustain you through it all. Make your own playlist as a sound track for the road ahead. And Jesus …well, He’s a necessary traveling Companion. Stay with Him. Take His Name with you. Never leave home without Him. He’ll be your Mainstay. Follow the path He has for you and always listen for His voice. He’ll be the one to tell you, “This is the way. Walk ye in it!”
Thanks for reading my latest pondering! I’d love to know what you’ve found to make you feel at home along the journey. Do tell! I just might need more help ! 😉
Song Credit: “Take the Name of Jesus With You” by Lydia Baxter (Public Domain)
I so enjoyed this, Joy. So much of what you shared is tucked away in some of the pages of my current journal. I wish we lived closer so we could sit in one of those garden spots and enjoy tea and conversation about all those places where we are finding He is there too.
One day, Jan … praying for God to give us that gift of His presence together. Thanks for your sweet encouragement. It means so much. 🙂
Quietly. Confidently. Walking. Interceding. Press on friend. ..
I know you are, my friend, and that brings me much comfort. Thanks so much. Loves & hugs!
Love those beautiful flowers they really do say something about Gods presence 🙂
It’s been great for me to photograph God’s creation. It truly does bring me into His presence and brings peace …thanks for commenting!
This was so good for me in this moment…felt like I was following with you and that same Jesus who leads us both. Loved this line: “always meandering about, but always looking up — stretching toward the Light with hopes of blooming wherever planted!” I need to remember to look up even as I’m spreading out and meandering. Love you so much and thank you for sharing your heart and your beautiful gift of writing & photography.
I love meandering with you Carrye ! Me, you and Jesus are great together 😉 …Keep looking up! “The Best is Yet to Come” as Memaw says! Love you so much and thanks for the encouragement from one hero of mine!
It’s funny how being “out of our element” can reveal a part of you that you didn’t know was there- for me, this is being literally far from home, across the country from my southern “home.” Having always been pretty outgoing and bold, I never knew how easy it is to become lonely and then over time more reserved…and then let that turn into self-doubt…then somehow before you know it you don’t want to venture out of your lonely place because it seems “safe.”
Instead, lately, God is helping me to wake up again to His voice..to His Word and the Life that He is and gives to us daily. I’m seeing things about my kids and family that I know I would have missed in the more familiar territory of “home” where “busy-ness” quickly takes over and other relationships might overshadow the only ones I have right now. I’m now learning a little more about what it means to be content in a place that, again, just isn’t “home.” And finding joy again is becoming easier, because I’m remembering where it comes from. 🙂
As I say so often, thank you for walking this road with me, Mama Joy! And for sharing your journey with the world. Your words are like a refreshing stream in a desert dry place – because I know they come from our Source.
Love you, Jen
Oh Jenny …these are the places we learn the most. My heart is with you …I know God is doing a deeper work in you than you can imagine. So good to be able to cry and laugh and process together. I love you dearly.
Joy, thank you for speaking truth so beautifully.
It’s the Holy Spirit oozing out of us… 🙂