Home

When people say the word home, they associate it with a house built on dirt somewhere. Rooms filled with trinkets and pictures hung on the wall. A soft bed to call their own and all the comforts they need to enjoy life shoved into a square building with a roof. That’s home. 

But me, I’ve found that home is so much more than 4 walls. I’ve found that my home is where my heart is. People, states, different countries even. 

It’s both hard and amazing to have your home in multiple places. 

We left home a few days ago. And by that I mean we left our boat down in The Keys. A place introduced to me 3 years ago, a place that has captured my heart from the very first day. So many friends, so many amazing memories and opportunities, an even more amazing church and church family. This is home. Every winter for the past 3 years it’s been home. And although I know we will be returning in the fall I can’t help but feel my heart break a little bit as we pull away. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’ll be amazing once we get back to our house on dirt in Ohio! I’ve missed my family and friends! That’s the amazing part about having multiple homes. Though hard to leave them each behind when the time comes, it’s exciting to return to another one. 

I’ve learned lately that maybe I hang on to places too tightly. My true home shouldn’t be on dirt, in water, or even in a person. My true home is with Him. He is my home, my safe place, my shelter. But then sometimes I wonder if Jesus had places on earth that he too called home. His disciples, Mary and Martha, Lazarus, the Temple, the Garden. I’m not sure, I guess I can add that to my ongoing list of questions to ask when I reach heaven. (Yes, I have a list! My mom and I joke that there’s an angel assigned just to write down all the questions I have for God.)

Home. Four letters that can be so many places  and bring up so many emotions. Home. A safe space, full of love and acceptance. Home. Where is home to you?