The all encompassing description of home as a safe place, the haven for family, a place where we are always welcome or where we establish roots, speaks of an earthly home. It reminds me of the answer one of my students gave me when we studied “homes” in Social Studies. But what seems so simple betrays what believers know to be so much more – it’s a pull heavenward.
For the last month, I have had the pleasure of being part of Kate Motaung’s launch team for her new memoir, A Place to Land. Her story is one of seeking home and the discovery of where home really is. I loved everything about Kate’s book and her writing style displayed transparency, and honesty as she drew the reader in with her easy storytelling style.
Many of us marvel at life stories that are layered so thick you wonder how the person ever survived the trials. But Kate does not have a single bone of pretentiousness in her body as she simply shares her message of home.
Kate’s story takes the reader on a journey between Michigan and South Africa. Besides the challenge of cultural differences, Kate shares the story of her life spanning her parents’ divorce, her mom’s terminal cancer, how she discovered her passion for mission work, her marriage and the arrival of her children.
After traveling to Honduras during a college Spring Break, there is a shift in Kate’s spirit as she reframes the idea of home. She says…
I felt as if the body I’d known my whole life had been missing limbs all along. I now saw that the perimeter of home as I knew it was far too exclusive. Too much the same. It was time to break down some walls to let more of God’s people in. Even if some of the breaking involved my own heart.
In our lives, we find the idea of home is reframed as we experience loss, additions to the family, or changes in addresses. But we confine ourselves if we only think in terms of the earthly realm. Do you feel a pull heavenward and if so, what does that look like?
As Kate continued to feel the tug toward missions, she changed colleges and her focus. She intentionally chose summer work that reflected her new found heart for serving people. Soon her dream to go to South Africa turned into reality. What I loved about Kate’s journey through the many highs and lows was the evolution of her understanding of home.
After living in a women’s shelter for a summer, Kate gained this new understanding:
Home should be held loosely–not as a right, but as a gift. A precious gift from the hand of God, who gives a sweet bite of home now as a foretaste of what is to come.
A Place to Land touched me on so many different levels. I shared Kate’s grief over the loss of her mom as I remembered my own mom. Kate shares her heart for serving others and it is something that burns within my heart too. I don’t need to travel the world to know that God loves using us for His glory. It is just a matter of saying “yes”. And Kate does this beautifully.
By the end of the book, we know that God always determines the place we will land. As we hold tight to our earthly home, God releases our fingers one by one and we find our true home is a pull heavenward.
Kate leaves us with this:
Then, finally, I understood. This whole life is a rental. This whole body of mine is a borrowed house. And it’s a good thing to be discontent with where we are, because this is not it. It’s a good thing to feel like we’re not at home and to long for another, for permanence, for stability, because we’re not home yet.
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Enter to win one of two signed copies of Kate Motaung’s book, A Place to Land, by leaving a comment with the answer to this question:
Do you feel a pull heavenward and if so, what does that look like?
I will randomly choose two winners this Friday, March 23. Bonus points for sharing this post on social media. Let me know what platforms you used to share this post. Good luck!!! (Open to participants in the U.S. only)
Kate’s book launches on April 2. Her words blessed me deeply. I pray you make time for the words in her book. It will be worth every second. Click HERE to gain instant access to the first chapter of the book.
You can order a copy of A Place to Land, HERE. (affiliate link included)
Blessings,
You may find me linking up at these lovely blogs this week.
What a beautiful review, Mary. And an equally beautiful story and book concept. It was so good to get the chance to visit here today. My busy season of life has kept me away from some of my favorite places of encouragement! ♥
I’m sharing this post on Pinterest, Twitter, and Stumble Upon!
I was so blessed to see you pop up here in the comments. Thank you for sharing and I pray you get the chance to read this book even in your busy season. Blessings and hugs!
A year ago I had double bypass heart surgery. They doctor couldn’t understand how I had made it that far without a heart attack with so much blockage in my heart. In fact they could bypass or stint the one in the back of my heart. My doctor is not a Christian and she keeps telling me how lucky I am. I finally said on my last visit, here is my perspective on luck…God is building me a house and it was not and isn’t yet finished so until it is finished I am here on this earth, when it is done, I am gone. Yep, I sometimes am a little tiffed at God when I wake up in the morning because I half expect Him to sound the rapture trump during the night, perspective is everything.
Your words touched me so deeply. Thank you for sharing a piece of your testimony. I pray your doctor learns how important your perspective is and wants it for herself. I am also praying for you and your journey.
A pull Heavenward for me looks like this: not fixating on my problems (not always easy), realizing that I’m not in control and that He is, claiming His promises for my life, everything around me can change, but nothing about Him does. I’ve been so blessed by this book. Shared this post on Twitter! #blessings
Great answer to the question. Control is one of those things I need to re-learn to let go of everyday. I might not come across as controlling, but I do have that tendency. Your reminder that everything around us can change but God never will is so reassuring to me. Kate certainly has such a beautiful writing style. Thank you for being here.
Mary, I loved this book too. Kate’s words reframed my perspective about a lot of things. Your review is lovely!
Thank you, Jeanne! I am blessed as I know you are to be part of the launch team. Kate’s book was so beautifully written and it has become one of my favorite books.
Yes, Mary … that pull heavenward happens for me when I visit my mom at her nursing home and think about the coming day when she will no longer be here. I’ll miss her terribly, but I know she will be wholly restored and in the presence of her heavenly Father. Wonderful review … I read the first chapter of Kate’s book and need to read the rest!
I know how hard it must be to visit your mom but also the joy you will feel when she goes home and becomes whole. I watched both my mom and dad go through it. Kate’s book left me with such a peace about home. I know you will love it.
Why, YES, I do! And it feels like longing….
I’d love to read this new book!
It is a longing. For me it the feeling that my life is not complete here. I hope you win a book, Ellen!
Great review. No need to include me in the give-away!!!
Thanks, friend! I loved everything about this book. Blessed you stopped by.
What a beautiful review! I’ve been wanting to read Kate’s book. Now I know for sure it’s a must read! I love the concept of, “this life is a rental and this body is a borrowed house.” What a beautiful reminder to keep pressing on toward our ultimate destination, Heaven!
I shared your post on twitter and Facebook.
Thank you for sharing and stopping by today. Kate’s book is a beautiful memoir and one that has touched me deeply. I know you would love it. May we all press on knowing that this life is just a rental. The pull heavenward is God’s final gift to us.
Mary,
The pull heavenward for me happens when I catch my eyes full of worry and then am given a brilliant sunset. The whole sky seems like heaven bursting if I could just go through the portal of clouds! This sometimes happens at sunrise as well.
Thank you for sharing this book. I look forward to seeing you both again!
What a beautiful image- anxiety to sunset. I have also experienced God’s beauty as a salve for what ails me. And who wouldn’t want to go through that portal in the clouds. It sounds like we both are transported by God’s beauty.
I would love nothing more than for our paths to cross again. I consider our meeting last summer as one of my favorite blessings.
Sounds like an excellent read! For me the pull heavenward is a restlessness that cannot be completely resolved. Heart, soul, and mind knows there is something missing that can only be filled completely when taken home. In the meantime, I am grateful Christ has given us His way to live and we can rest in Him while in this world.
It is an excellent read. I highly recommend the book. I also feel a restlessness here on earth that will be resolved the day I go home to Jesus. We are to complete until He calls us home. May we feel the peace of Jesus as we journey through our life on Earth and know that we will become whole in heaven.
Mary,
Loved this review and the concept that we are living in “rented space” (bodies, homes, etc.) Our real home is in Heaven – great eternal perspective. Congrats’ by the way on being the featured writer over at Jennifer Dukes Lee’s blog!! Way to go girl!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I know you would love A Place to Land. Kate writes beautifully about home and points us heavenward throughout. This is one of my all time favorite books.
What an honor to be the featured writer. Jennifer is so good about encouraging and empowering her community.
Looks like we’re all about books this week, Mary! Such fine company … the volumes and most especially, the friends who gather with us to talk about their impact …
;-}
Who doesn’t love books??? Kate’s book is beautifully written. It has been such a blessing to me.
I love Kate’s thoughts about how home is not a right, but a gift, and only a foretaste of what is to come. It’s so true what you say – “As we hold tight to our earthly home, God releases our fingers one by one and we find our true home is a pull heavenward.” I long for the day to be home forever with Jesus. Thank you for not only sharing a review of this book, but also how it personally touched you. I love that. Love and hugs to you, Mary!
Throughout her book, as her thoughts on home evolve, she says it so beautifully. One is better than the next. The thought of being pulled heavenward is so comforting. I also long for my forever home with Jesus. Thank you for being here.
Kate’s book sounds amazing, Mary. And I love that thought on all of this life being a rental. The older we get the truer that becomes!
It is an amazing book. Her thoughts on home really touched me on so many levels. And the idea that life is just a rental is the perfect way to describe it. Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you so much for reading, Mary, and for this beautiful post! You are a blessing. I know you’ve thought a lot about the concept of home, and I’m so glad that this book could contribute to your journey. Grateful for you, friend!
It has been my honor to be part of the launch team. Your book is beautifully written. Home is always on my mind. The idea changes and grows the older I get. It has been a joy to read and I pray just the right people get the chance to read your book too.
I have loved the book too, Mary, so I enjoyed your review and reading about what stood out to you. It is encouraging to remember that heaven is our true home.
Kate has a beautiful way of sharing her story. Her book has blessed me so much. I pray many people will have the opportunity to read this book.