Going Home, or Leaving?

Heading the other direction is odd.

In the morning I leave where I've been staying for the past nine months and head home for a brief visit. Only, I'm not sure that's what I am doing. Could it be I'm leaving home to go back to the place where I used to live? Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking for sympathy. Other than the fact that I'll be sitting in airplane seats way too long, and I'll be away from Kathy for three weeks, I don't find what I'm doing distasteful at all. It's just odd. If you came in late, I'll point you to a brief word of explanation. I'm a retired pastor, lived all my adult life in the same place, and in our "retirement," Kathy and I took a temporary assignment 8,000 miles from home. You can find out more here. We have been here in our comfortable little apartment long enough that it doesn't feel temporary. It kinda' feels like home. I'm headed back to the U. S. mainland because of business. It used to be when I'd go away on business that I'd pack enough stuff to last until I got back home. This evening I packed a supply of stuff to last while I'm visiting home. Some of the old Gospel songs talk about this kind of dissonance in a far more profound way.   "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through." "I've got a mansion . . . in that bright land where we'll never grow old." "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home."   The Psalm writer spoke of that not-at-home-ness when he said,“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25–26) In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul spoke of his desire to be "present with the Lord" (Philippians 1:23), yet he knew there was yet work to be done (24). What I am experiencing as I get ready go away from home and back home at the same time is something like the way God's people should always live. I'm where I am for reason, but this isn't my final address.   It's STTA (Something To Think About).

You can come home again, but . . .

Something to Think About Returning Home:

Thomas Wolfe famously said, "You can't go home again."  Actually you can, but you can't make it feel the same.  For the second time in my life I have returned home and found it somewhat weird--not bad, just different. Nearly fifty years ago I returned home after being away at school for a couple of months.  Shortly after I entered the familiar surroundings of the house where I'd lived for most of my life, my Mom asked, what I wanted for supper.  As far as I could remember that had never happened before.  My home was an "eat what's put before you" kind of home.  When Mom asked my dining preference I knew things had changed.  I had the same feeling the other day. Kathy and I had embarked on a new ministry venture.  We pulled in our driveway after being away for a bit over four months.  We began to settle into what is now the new normal.  It's not bad.  It is different.  And it's a bit of a challenge.  I suppose I'll have to wait a while before my verdict is credible, but I think it is good. I'm changing all the time.  All I have to do to demonstrate that is get out some old pictures.  That guy with a full head of black hair is gone.  In his place is an older guy with wrinkles and a wisp of gray on his head.  If I don't look at the pictures, though, I don't notice the change.  It happens a bit at a time.  I constantly adjust to the incremental difference.  The fact is, though, everything in this world is constantly changing.  If you stay gone for a while and then come home you notice that. Enough of my rambling.  The Lord's brother, James, and Jesus follower, Peter, both refer to Jesus words about the transitoriness of all things in this world.  These surroundings that seem so solid and lasting are really like delicate flowers.  They spring up, and flourish, but soon wither and die.  (See here, here, and here for the Biblical references.)  Don't try to keep things down here the same.  You'll only frustrate yourself.  Don't depend on that which is sure to fail you.  You are sure to suffer loss.  Make sure you invest in eternity.   It’s STTA. Read here to explore that which is eternal.