It’s not the wild that calls,
But the thought and idea of home
It’s where I’ve chosen to live
And that continual call of what I’ve called home.
Home is where the heart is,
Or so the adage goes.
Yet, I’ve lived with my heart for decades
And there are still yearnings for other spaces.
Sitting in relative comfort,
I watch the wringing heat of the south from afar.
“No! Never! Not me!” Says I.
God saved me from there. Twice!
A greater piece of me desires
The cooler experience of the Far North.
Mountains, Snow, Ice, and cold running water.
That’s a better place. Surely?
It all depends on your heart.
Between the poles of heat and cold, I sit.
Wondering where my heart of heart is leaning.
I’m sure I know, but this middle zone t’ain’t bad.
Okay. Politics aside,
And a few unbearable summer months.
If we can defend our druthers,
Can we be happy here?
Retirement closes in, and I know someday it will be different.
I noted this week. My shopping days are with strangers.
I can enter any store and not see anyone I know.
Is that how you would want to live?
On one hand, it’s an untapped market for a new conversation.
But on the other? No one knows me, either.
It’s a pleasure to be called on as a friend,
And trip down a conversation of a common framework.
There’s no answer to this thought.
I’ve placed my calling and life into a bigger hand than mine.
As long as it’s not desperately and blazingly hot,
I’ll exist wherever I’m supposed to be.
(From my most read and studied epistle of Paul.)
Philippians 4:10-20 NKJV
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last
your care for me has flourished again;
though you surely did care,
but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in regard to need,
for I have learned in whatever state I am,
to be content:
I know how to be based,
and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things
I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia,
no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
Not that I seek the gift,
but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
Indeed I have all and abound.
I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you,
a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.