Where is home, anyway?

In an age where family is scattered all over, where is home?

As I was flying back to Seattle from Ohio this morning, a thought that has come into my mind before became more concrete. The more I travel, the more my loved ones are scattered across the country, the more places God calls me to go ... the more the definition of "home" becomes blurry.

It was so much easier as a child knowing where home is. There wasn't a question about it. Home was where mommy and daddy and brother lived. Where I slept and ate and had to come inside after playing. [inserted childhood photo of me in cotton candy baby ballet costume above :)]

When friends asked me if I was going home for Thanksgiving, I said yes. I went to Zanesville Ohio, where I was born. Some of them thought that meant Las Vegas, some thought Greenville South Carolina, some knew Ohio. Hearing everyone's responses made me realize, they're not sure where my "home" is either!

When folks ask me if I am going home for Christmas, I also say yes. This time I am referring to South Carolina, where my parents live. Friends from Las Vegas ask me if I am coming "home" for the holidays and they are referring to me coming back to Las Vegas. When I am traveling and asked when I'm going home, I'm referring to Seattle when I give an answer of a day or time.

Where is home?

Is it where you grew up? Where the swing set your dad built with his bare hands from wood and tools is. Where you learned to walk and talk, played flashlight tag and had acorn fights. Where you caught lightening bugs and rode sleds down long hills with family and neighbors. Rode horses. Played in the woods until momma yelled to come inside. Learned to dance tap & ballet. Where half of your family is. For me this is Zanesville Ohio.

Or, is home where you have spent the longest? Went to High School and College. Have dear friends that are like family to you. Anytime something special happens tears spill out because you are not present to share in the moment with them. Started your career and know where all of the good restaurants and hiking spots are? Where you came to know Christ? For me this is Las Vegas.

Is home where your parents are? I've heard the saying "Home is where momma is." For me this is South Carolina.

Is home where your "stuff" is? Where God has called you to live at the moment? Where you are pouring yourself into life and church and work? Making wonderful friends. For me this is Seattle.

As I left my family this morning, and began to wonder all of these things, and grow a little sad that my heart is torn and that I can't be in all places at once ... home is where the heart is but my heart is many places ... the answer came to me clear as day in this verse.

Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the son of Man [Jesus] has no place to lay his head - Matthew 8:20 (emphasis mine)

Now, I'm no theologian, I have not gone to school to study Gods word. I can only say what the spirit laid on my heart & what this verse means to me, right now.

Your home is in heaven with Me. You are here on earth to do my work and only momentarily. When I call you to go, you should be ready. And while you are on earth, you don't have to chose where your worldly home is. I will stretch your heart so you can love people all over. Everywhere is your home, because My children are all over and I have called you to go and make disciples of all nations. To love your neighbor as yourself. If I gave you a "home" then your "neighbors" would be limited. When I want them to be everyone,  everywhere. 

I travel often for work, and I very much enjoy it. I travel often for personal. I work in the travel industry. God has given me a passion for traveling & exploring His creation. Sharing His good news & love with folks near and far, along the way. The more places I go, the smaller the world seems. & the more this verse becomes alive:

Love your neighbor as yourself - Matthew 22:39

Then this verse solidifies that God does not mean neighbors as just those who live next door to our "home."

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations - Matthew 28:19

I think of all the people hurting in this broken world. How they need love. How we all do. What about orphans, where do they think of as home.

Maybe this is Gods way of opening my eyes.

It was difficult for me to move away from friends and family. I knew my parents wanted me to move to South Carolina, and part of me did too. To be near them, it would have been easier and comfortable. Sometimes so badly I miss sitting on the back porch with momma, just chatting. I missed being there for the birth of my best friends child. I am missing other best friends birthdays, college graduation, promotions which I would have been there to celebrate. But, God called me here, & I went. & at times I am home sick. For multiple people and places :) Whenever that happens, I remember what Jesus said:

How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Fathers business? - Luke 2:49

It all boils down to this: We are all here for numbered hours, and what we do with our time will either fade away or have eternal impact. God does not call us to be comfortable. He calls us to follow Him, wherever He goes.

& He knows I like an adventure. :)

What do you do with your time?

Do you sleep the days away? Go to work and come home "another day another dollar"? God wants us to live a full life. Do you spend time stressed out and worrying? Spend your time building your own self up, which will fade away when you do? Or do you do a million things, none of which consist of doing what God has asked you to do? God never intended us to be so busy that we didn't have time for Him. I've had to ask myself this question many times.

& I thank God that my real home is heaven. There will be no pain, no heartache, no stress. It is full of rewards for those who obey Christ commandments. Best of all, we will be living with our heavenly Father.

Where is your home? Where will you be once your days are up? Not something many folks like to think about, rather just buzz about the busy-ness of the "now". But the "now" is just a minute in comparison to eternity.

I asked a family member this very question this weekend. He hoped he was going to heaven, but not sure.

The way to heaven is through Jesus I said. To accept He died for our sins and has risen to sit at the right hand of God. Ask Him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. Admit that we are sinners and repent.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me - John 14:6.

It's not through "being a good person" - like I used to think growing up. When God was some distant head floating around watching if I was going to be bad or if I was good he could give me gifts. Sort of like in the Wizard of Oz.

No, all we have to do is pray the above, & we will be saved. Through the work Jesus already did on the cross. That is our ticket to heaven.

Heaven is forever. Heaven is home.

With Love,
Meagan

The Journey

It has taken me so long to write this, in part because I don't know where to begin! & in part because I don't feel equipped to share Gods story in a way that truly displays His glory. How perfect He is. 

Although, He has shown me thus far, He will equip those He calls to do His work. Not through our own abilities but through His. So here goes!!! 

These last 8 months, and how God is rocking my world. 

I have been saved for about 6 years now (best day of my life!), but letting Jesus be the Lord of my life as well as savior, has completely blown me away. I got a bit distracted from His will for my life, but faithful as He is, God was there waiting. & has used my adversities which came as a result of distraction from Him, to teach me through them, and grow me into the woman He has called me to be.

Leaving Las Vegas ... 

Since I let myself get distracted from Gods plan before, I was and am determined not to get de-railed again! Sure, you can always get back on track - but I am done spending time off track when I can be all-in! I prayed fervently for discernment and for God to reveal His will for me. I was presented with two job opportunities almost immediately after submitting fully to Gods will for my life. I asked God and listened intently to see which I should take as both were in completely different states. I remember wishing God had only given me ONE job opportunity so I didn't have to chose! So there wasn't an opportunity to chose wrong! Just a glimpse of that abundance God gives us when we are following Him. Also a glimpse of His teachings, again wanting to see me seek Him for direction. 

I didn't hear an answer as quick as I had hoped. I'm sure this hasn't happened to any of you ;). However there was that quiet voice in my heart leading me to accept the position in Washington near Seattle. So, within a few weeks I had accepted and God was taking me out of Las Vegas! Provided me with two opportunities which actually made it easier for me to negotiate salary. (He always has the perfect plan, even if we can't see it). 

My mom made the drive from Las Vegas to Washington with me, which was SUCH a blessing! Mom said we should go through Idaho, that way we could see the falls. When we get there we saw not A rainbow, but TWO rainbows. Symbols of Gods promises. & confirmation that we were on the right path. 

& just like that, I left everything & followed Jesus. 

It was high season here near Seattle and apartments were being snatched up so quickly that any of the ones I was interested in were gone by the time we got here. Still, we found the perfect place within days. God didn't want me to have a security blanket - He wanted me to trust Him to provide. He did. Again, mom to the rescue! I was in a bit of a panic so anything looked good!! However, she heard the Lord and we decided on a place right across from the beach. Where birds woke me up every morning, something I had missed since I was a little girl. Where wild flowers grow everywhere, my favorite. Where I can go across the way next to the water where I feel so close to God, and rest in His presence. 

Do not worry  ... Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; yet God feeds them - Luke 12:24

At first, it was lonely. But every time I was lonely, I opened my bible. I realized that, God took me away from everything and everyone I knew, so that He could spend quality time with me. Unbelievable! The creator of Heaven and Earth wants to spend quality time with me, and took me to a place He knew I would. I began to read my bible every day. & God began to transform me. He showed me through His word things I had been naive to. Giving me wisdom. 

Rather than rely on myself, my family, or my friends ... I began to rely on Jesus. For everything. Even companionship. What a freeing feeling it is! The peace that God gives us in circumstances is beyond any momentary comfort we can receive from anyone else in this world.

He even taught me through the job He placed me in. I have quarterly sales goals. At first, it was an emotional roller coaster every time I closed a deal or lost one. I remember closing a deal and then writing it on the white board, all proud. The next day, I lost a larger one. Then I felt God tell me ... to be humble. That He gives and He can take away. To give all glory to Him. & rely on Him not myself. That I can't control the outcome, not to try because it is a waste of my energy. Amazing how quickly the stress melted away, and has stayed that way (although I have my moments don't get me wrong).

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted - Matthew 23:12

I prayed for a church home. I love Calvary Chapel Green Valley and it was so heartbreaking for me to leave the church I came to know Christ in. I knew I wanted a bible teaching church, and a church that spoke the truth - not sugar coating Gods word but rather preparing us as the Bride of Christ. I tried out a few and became a little discouraged. Then, God led me to Antioch Bible Church. The first time I went, I knew ... this is it. This is my church home. The first time I went, a woman named Heidi introduced herself to me, and said I should become a youth leader.

God was molding me so quickly that at times I wanted to slow down! So I would pretend I hadn't heard Him tell me to do something. I wouldn't have the time. That didn't go over too well :) Thankfully! I heard the voice of God so clearly speak to me one day "when I ask you to do something, I mean now." I am NOT going to argue with that!!! 

God first dealt with me on tithing 10% as I would sometimes but not faithfully every week. He wanted me to be faithful in the small things before He gave me bigger things. 

"Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you have authority over much" - Luke 19:17

Once I began tithing regularly it felt AMAZING!!! Like a ton of bricks lifted. Like I was giving God what was already His anyway and it felt so good not to have kept it. 

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want - proverbs 11:24

I had also been praying for the Lord to lead my feet on a mission, because He had been putting on my heart to go. Again I heard His voice ... "I have things for you to do here, first". 

Through some adversities that I have gone through in my past, God has given me a heart for young women. To pour into them the abundance of love that God gives to me, and wisdom from things I've gone through, in hopes some of it may stick that they wouldn't have to live with the same scars I do. Also for children. One thing God has asked me to do is sponsor 5 year old Ednah who lives in Kenya, through World Vision. It is so exciting for me to write her letters and wait for hers! Also to think of the day I hopefully get to go and meet her and her family. 

When you give a dinner, do not ask your friends nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just - Luke 14:12-14

I am now a youth leader at Antioch Bible Church for High School ministry. On the paperwork, one of the questions was about tithing. I smiled at God thinking, I can now say that yes I do, and seeing how He has everything fit perfectly together and work for His good. My life was now a testament to that. It is amazing to me that God sees me as a good example for His younger children. He is growing me so much through them, that I can't even believe it's real. 

I want to mention that ... throughout my life I have NEVER been very "domestic"! I have been more career focused. However, I started baking and cooking more in the past year or so, and suddenly I realize, I love it! There are even folks asking me to bake from church! This is definitely Gods craftsmanship, I can take none of the credit, HA! 

Recently, the Lord has called me go to go Peru for outreach to children at a local orphanage, and also women in the area ... get this ... through baking. 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself - Luke 10:27

Most recently, I have been wanting to start attending a women's bible study. However, when I looked on the website at the studies available, there were only Wednesday nights (I am with my High School group that night), or Thursday mornings (I work). Last Sunday, I prayed deeply for God to place me in a group that would work. After service, one of the pastors daughter whom I was sitting next to said to me ... we've just started a small group on Monday nights would you be interested in joining? I almost couldn't believe my ears. Then I realized, I am NEVER going to be able to comprehend just how GREAT our GOD is! To top it off, many of the women I've been getting to know and become friends with will be part of it. 

I have a prayer journel, where I record my prayers ... what God reveals to me ... what I'm thankful for... what I repent of. Whenever I go back through it and see how God answers my prayers, I realize just how powerful prayer through faith is. & sometimes I am brought to tears. Because I know where I was. & wow what a dark place ... one where life almost didn't seem worth it. And now, where I literally have trouble expressing how wonderful things are because I don't have the words, and I end up writing a novel like I just did. :)

So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek [Jesus], and you will find [Him]; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened - Luke 11:9-11 

I just want you to know that none of this is a testimony of how great I am. The testimony of me is the horrible mess I was in, before. This is all a testimony of God, His story, what He will do in your life if you let Him. It isn't easy to take the first plunge, but my heart has never been happier, I have never been more content, and lived a more beautiful life. Than when I laid mine down and gave it to Jesus to pick up and make new. 

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? - Matthew 16:25-26

Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. But hear me when I say, it is BEYOND worth it. You won't be able to fully comprehend it until you live it, I know I didn't. & I still have a long journey ahead. That I am enjoying, immensely. 

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it - Matthew 7:13-14

By the way, if any of this touched you and you have questions or would like prayer - I would love that. You can post below or email me at msharrer@gmail.com. 

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God - John 3:21

With Love,
Meagan