There's No Place Like Home - Or Is There?

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It's the subject of countless songs - Home For the Holidays, Home On the Range, Home Sweet Home. Yes, I know that's only three but believe me there are more. I could probably write a whole post with such song titles but I won't, instead please let me share my Pearlspective on the meaning of "Home".

Image by Arno Smit Photography via Unsplash

Home is a special place.

To many people it may signify a familiar place, the love of family, and many wonderful memories. To me it signifies a safe place, a place to rest, and a place to spend time with my friends. I have known many homes in my lifetime and the number continues to grow as we travel.

I grew up in Minnesota and I have fond memories of my home there (yes, even in winter), but it is no longer my home. For almost six years I have had a home in Branson, but in those six years that home has changed at least six times. Oddly enough, I actually spend very little concentrated time at my home.

Home is where my reindeer is.

Yes, reindeer. I have a friendly reindeer that travels with me everywhere, he eats practically nothing yet remains stuffed, and wherever he stops for the night is my home. You see, as a traveling musician, I have learned to redefine the word "home". At this point in my life I no longer think of home as a particular place, but more of a mindset. Throughout each year's travels, I (and my reindeer) look forward to spending varying lengths of time at friends' homes, my Grandpa's farm in Minnesota, and I have even acquired a list of my "favorite" hotels.

As I write this, I am spending time in our winter home in Arizona. Our band has spent the past six winters performing in Arizona and it has become somewhat of a tradition, but even that has changed this year as the house we stayed in each year was sold. This winter, home is again different for me but I am enjoying it nonetheless.

The Bible says in Philippians chapter 4: "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Obviously the author of that was not referring to the United "States", but the phrase does apply uniquely well to my situation.

Home is where my friends are.

I am learning that I can be content and appreciate each place I am, not because of where  I am but because of who  I am with and the opportunities I have. I am learning to treasure the time I have with the friends I meet and visit throughout our travels, and I look forward to making memories with them along the way.

I also know that this phase of my life will eventually change. I am privileged and blessed to be able to travel as much as I do, and I want to enjoy it while it lasts! I would be somewhat of a fool to not appreciate this opportunity.

This world is not my home.

One thing I have particularly come to appreciate in my lifestyle is the realization of how temporary this life is. The constant fluctuation of my place of residence makes it much harder to become attached to material possessions, and reminds me not to depend on my surroundings  for my happiness.

My nomadic habits also make me increasingly aware of the fact that this world is not our permanent dwelling place but, as a follower of Jesus, I have the promise of an eternal home with Him. I look forward to the fulfillment of that promise and I hope you can say the same!

Do you have a home?

If the answer is yes then I am very happy for you, but don't let your attachment to it outweigh your appreciation for your friends and family; it  is temporary, they  are not. Please remember that home is more than a building. Whether or not you have a permanent, structural home, I encourage you to find a home in whatever situation you are in. Find comfort and joy in those around you, and cherish the moments and memories you have together! TTFN!

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 18, 2017 at 8:32 PM

    I had a big, long paragraph typed out to post here...about my celebrations on this day. My computer glitched and now all I'm going to post is this: I'm celebrating every day too.

    Glad it was happy, Pearl...if not ideal.

    ReplyDelete

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