…..well…..kinda. I've been thinking a lot about what that word means as I prepare to fly out in 2 days to Africa.
This week I've started to question where, or what, my home is.
My house has been starting to feel less and less like a home.
When I looked the word up, I realized why.
I'm not quite home yet. I never will be, really.
The definition of home is anything but accurate when applied to my upcoming year.
home [hohm]
noun, adjective, adverb, verb,
homed, hom·ing.
noun
1. a shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.
The first definition commonly refers to a house or neighborhood,
But I'll be living in a tent this year.
That tent will move around who knows how many times, it will have no 'usual' location, and will often contain different members of my new family.
But what if it's taken away? What if I lose my tent? Where will I find shelter then?
But what if it's taken away? What if I lose my tent? Where will I find shelter then?
I'm so excited to find shelter in Christ alone!
2. the place in which one's affections are centered.
My affections are everywhere right now. I love my family and leaving them for a year will tear a part of my heart out, but my deeper affections are centered on Christ and His family around the world. The only place my affections will call home are in His word and His peace!
3. an institution for the homeless, sick, etc.
This definition will be all too real many of the months we travel.
We will see sick and homeless,
and we will be sick at times and always homeless.
We will learn that things are just things and true peace is not found in a house or tent, in health or wellness but in the peace we find through stillness, community and love.
5.the place or region where something is native or most common.
This might be the broadest definition so far!
Where am I native too?
Lately I've felt such a longing to leave the place I've known as home for years. Each country we travel to will be new, different. Nothing will be common.
I pray to live fully in each culture while I'm there. I want to make it home for that month.
6. Deep; to the heart.
Being willing to go home is being willing to go deep.
Maybe it's a place in the heart, maybe it's peace of mind.
7. Reaching the mark aimed at: a home thrust.
Maybe this will be a journey to find a place I want to make my new home until I ultimately am home with Christ. We are to live in constant aim, constant reaching but also having peace in the journey.
Although the itch for adventure and newness has set in this week and I'm ready to go, I know that in 11 months I'll be on a plane headed back for the states. It will be so wonderful to see everyone's faces again, but my 'home' in SC will be so different then.
8. to go or return home.
I'll be different, and home will be something deeper inside me by then. Returning is always important as we look back on what God has done over the year and go on in freedom.
Ahhh I am so excited! Months of preparation and excitement are coming to an end as the journey begins.
I feel so much of myself is about to change, but leaving home is an important first step of that change.
I know God can use me anywhere, had I chosen to stay home or leave it.
But only He knows the best of Him will be fullest in me through a year of abandon. Lets GO!
Just a few days and I'll be updating my blog from MOZAMBIQUE,
a huge thank you to all of you who got me there.
Pray for our safety in traveling over the next few days!
