We said goodbye this morning.
Goodbye to a city…
Goodbye to a street…
Goodbye to a house…
Goodbye to our temporary pet (Nugget/Nuggz)…
Goodbye to new family…
and goodbye to month one of the world race.
We're saying goodbye to so much. But we've gained so much.
Call me nostalgic, but the song "Home" by Philip Phillips has been played on my iPod close to a hundred times this month. This song has meant so much to me…
"Settle down, it'll all be clear.
Don't pay no mind to the demons, they fill you with fear.
Trouble it might drag you down
if you get lost you can always be found.
Just know you're not alone.
Cause I'm gonna make this place your home."
As we start our journey to leave Malaysia, I can't help but feel as though I'm leaving home. With less than a month under my belt, this may sound a little out there to you… but to me it's just right.
Growing up, we moved around a lot. When friends would speak of "home," I always felt a bit left out. Where is "home" for me? Each place I've lived holds a very special place in my heart. But no one place can be categorized as my home.
I know, I know… as a Christian, this earth is just my temporary home. My true home is in Heaven. I can't wait for the day I truly get home.
But for now… temporarily… I think I've found it.
My home is in the Kingdom of God. It is among the Body of Christ. The people I spend my days with. The people I meet along the way. No matter the country… the nationality… the cultural differences… I am home.
And the slightly scary part is, yes, it's going to change. I characterize the seasons of my life by where we were living at the time. Moving changes you. It's inevitable. New people, new environment… you adapt. You simply cannot stay the same.
This is a new season… the world race is full of change. Each month you say goodbye to one home and begin life in a new one.
We're not even guaranteed our team. Personally, the thought of a team change has been a struggle. This month I've become quite attached to my team. I love these people. But I focus on every day I get to spend with them and I remind myself that although it may seem I could be losing family, really, I'm just adding to it. I'm making my home elsewhere.
Home is where the Lord takes me.
Be it America, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Ukraine, Romania… Uganda, Russia, China, Mexico, Guatemala… or Heaven, I'll follow where HE leads and I'll be home.
This month:
