Through the thousands of miles I’ve traveled, home and abroad, there are few places I end up that everything feels like home. Travel often comes at the expense of comfort and familiarity. New foods, beds, conveyances to move you from one point to another, languages, customs… You get the picture.
Dorothy learned from the Wizard she always had the ability to go home whenever she wished. Tap your shoes together three times, close your eyes, and say, “There’s no place like home.” Voila! You’re there!
I’m in Kentucky. Albany. I surprised Mom in Nashville as she traveled there to meet her sister. Sister’s gathering. Birthday celebrations. Mom turns 86 today, Anita turns 90 on Sunday.
Since 1961, I’ve been coming to Anita and Perry’s house nestled in a small valley between three small mountains. An ancient country farmhouse, barns, livestock, and a serene peace that comes from feeling like you’re home.
At 5 am I’m up, ready to face the day. It’s foggy. 52 degrees. Just about perfect to walk their drive a mile up to the highway. Wild turkeys gobbling. Calves running to the fence to investigate me … do you have something for us?
As I wander the property in the pre-dawn light, I realize this is not a retreat as I feel in my heart. This is a working farm and it takes a lot of time, effort and money to do all that needs to be done. Fences, buildings, cattle-guards, planting, harvesting, cleaning… It’s about a full time job. While it cool…make hay while the sun shines!
Home Takes Work
Home takes work!
It’s not a one-person job. My uncle will be 92 this year. As I was walking, he was leaving to another property he has to fix some water issues, and then work with the guys to move some cows…from here, to there… This is his home neck of the woods, and he has deep family roots throughout the area. He’s lived on this farm for 60 years. He told me last night, when he backed their moving trailer to the back door and started unloading their goods, he said to himself, this is the last time I move.
It takes work and dedication to have a home!
Home
Home…
There is a wanderlust in most of us. If not distance to far-away places, then at least to the end of the drive. Move. Don’t stay still. Travel. Go!
I’ve felt too many times, even as a trip is coming to an end, there’s a peace I’ve felt driving into familiar areas, unlocking home… I’m back!
Some old songs from a church hymnal comes to mind.
Some day when this life is over, and our traveling will end,….
Or…
I’m just a wayfaring stranger, wandering through this vale of tears…
Some day words like Sojourner, traveler, pilgrim and others will come to an end. Our traveling days are over. Our end has come. What will that final resting place be like? I’m not talking about a hole in the ground with a headstone that says, RIP. I’m talking about the eternal place that we are striving to attain.
What will it be like to go to an unimaginable place, and know the fact and utter the words, “I’m home.” Remember the words from Jesus. “I go to prepare a place for you…”