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