It was one hug in an airport. A safe landing in the middle of a tumultuous journey home. A familiar face that split my heart wide open in a sea of weary travelers. This was all it took for that deep breath to make its way throughout my body. This was the invitation to make space for coming home.
After a day and a half or longer of traveling to reach home, I found home in the arms of my daughter-in-law. In the act of making space for coming home, I opened my heart and arms to step into where others will always love me for exactly who I am.
What does home look like?
On most days, if you asked me “what does home look like”?, I would describe for you where I live and the general layout of my house. I’m sure I would mention the color scheme which is laced with teal and accents of golden yellow. I may even share how my house makes me feel–safe, warm, and comfort-filled.
But focusing only on the physical aspects of where I live would fall short of what “home” looks like on a deeper level.
We can agree that home is a place, but I also believe home is where we can be most like ourselves.
As Isaiah describes the kingdom of righteousness, he says, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (Isaiah 32:18).
These words comfort me as I explore home in a context beyond its physical attributes. I recognize how I long for home to be a place of peace and undisturbed rest as I read these words from Isaiah. But in the moment I saw my daughter-in-law in the airport, I knew that home was also the place in my heart that held all my people near and dear.
Home is the place where I find rest,
the embodiment of where my people gather,
the hope for all my tomorrows because of Jesus,
the connection point for my physical, emotional, and spiritual self,
And the reason that coming home never gets old.
The Emotional Aspects of Home
One glance caused every emotion to bubble to the surface. Five steps later shook loose the strangle hold of thoughts that were filling my body.
Home was the longing I was feeling for the familiar. Home was the embrace of one of my people.
What makes its way across your heart emotionally when you think of home?
Maybe, like me, it is the embrace of one of your people. Maybe, instead, you feel a deep love when gathering with the people you hold dear.
What if making space for coming home connects all of the emotions that bring you closer to God?
As much as home is a place, it is also the heart space that makes room for loving yourself and others. It takes what you know about life and flips it upside down. It allows for unlikely people to enter and for you to have connections with those you have nothing in common. Home creates a room where you and others are always welcome.
In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reassures the people they will always have an eternal home in heaven. When we are focused just on our physical bodies we leave little to no room for Jesus. But when we we are at home with the Lord, we make it our goal to please God. It makes no difference if we are at home in the body or with the Lord.
Putting God first always leads us home.
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Cor. 5:8-9
Coming home connects the dots between the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of our body. When we choose Jesus to lead the way in our journey of coming home, we find ourselves complete in a way we didn’t know was possible.
The Spiritual Aspects of Home
It has taken me many years to understand the depth and meaning of home. I was in my middle forties when the idea of home included God as the center of my being. It was this new awareness that led me to discover that my heart was the epicenter for love, hope, and peace.
Home is the place where Jesus takes up residence and grows who you are while at the same time points you ever closer to Him. Making Space for Coming Home Share on X
When I said “yes” to Jesus, I invited love to slip into my body in a way that was new and wonderful.
When Jesus entered my heart, I gained His presence 24/7.
Maybe, home for you still focuses on the physical and that is the best place for you to start.
Maybe, you are beginning to see that there is more to home and you are waiting for the nudge to explore.
Or maybe Jesus is already your epicenter and you have graciously expanded your heart to include more people and more love than you thought was possible.
Today I invite you to reflect on what it looks like to come home in your own life. How has Jesus transformed your knowledge of home to include the life you will live beyond this one with Him?
Empowering women to walk in brave faith one heart at at time!
Here is a favorite series I wrote about home. Check it out HERE.
The idea of creating a designated “coming home” space is a great one. It’s a place where we can take a moment to relax and recharge after a long day, and it’s also a way to show ourselves some love and care.
Yes, so true!
Thank you for stopping by!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this, Mary. It seems like the older I get the less home is about a place and the more it is about the people I’m with or the time spent with Jesus. Blessings!
Mary, this so touched my heart today. Jesus is my epicenter. I seek him in my everyday mess and find his beauty form my ashes. Pausing to reflect on your words today. And I’m bookmarking to save as a reminder and encouragement. Blessings.
Hi Paula! It’s so good to see you here. Seeking God in our everyday mess is restorative and redeeming. Thank you for weighing in with your thoughts about home.
This is a beautiful post, Mary! I like the thought of home being where we can be most like ourselves.
Thank you for stopping by! Home is my favorite and I love how God is teaching me new things about it. Hope you are doing well.
mmm …. even the title of your post makes me smile, take a deep breath, and appreciate the goodness of God. Such grace. Thank you, friend …
Thank you for being here, Linda! Isn’t God so gracious to allow us to share what is so near to our hearts? May you find sweet grace and peace when you explore the idea of home.
Ah, home! Home for me is a place of peace and comfort. It is where I feel safe, relaxed and loved. And, as much as that describes my physical home… it also describes the emotional home and most importantly my spiritual home. I think that without God being the epicenter of my spiritual home, my “other homes” wouldn’t be the same. I need Him and am so thankful that He has made His home in me.
Blessings, Joan
Your thoughts about home are beautiful. I agree that my physical and emotional homes are what they are because I have chosen God to be the center of my life. We are blessed that God has made His home in each of us.
I love following your new adventure of home on Instagram. Enjoy!
Wonderful post, Mary. I saw a sign once that said, “Home is where your mom is.” At the time, my mom lived in a nursing home. It seems a bit odd to say, but when my dad and and I were both visiting her there, as we did many days of the week, that place really did feel like home. Now that both of my parents are in heaven, the saying means even more to me. But home is also here, with my girls and husband–gathered around the table, laughing, eating, enjoying each other’s company. Of course I have hopes and dreams of how that will change as the girls get older and perhaps have families of their own, but I’m grateful to be able to enjoy things as they are now too.
Thank you for stopping by to encourage me and leave a comment. I understand your thoughts about home being where your mom is. Home for me is where my people are and I have been blessed that now includes my sons, wives, and grand babies. I pray your family continues to grow as your daughters get older. The idea of home does change as we go through the different seasons of our lives.
Home is where our hearts are. Where we can be our authentic selves. It seems the older I get, the greater my longing gets for Jesus to take me home forever. Meanwhile, may we make Him our home in our hearts! Love, hugs, and blessings to you, Mary!
I agree with you, Trudy! Knowing Jesus makes me long for my eternal home. I pray you are doing well. It’s always good to see you here.
Ahhh, Mary. I love how you explored the concept of home. In college, I remember flying home for Christmas and the comfort that waited for me in the place I knew best. But, after marrying my husband and having so many years together, he is also “home” to me. That safe place where I can be my real, sometimes hot-mess self and still be loved. And, being in relationship with Jesus definitely is home.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on home. What a gift it is to have a best friend and/or spouse who feels like home to you. Any place where I can be most like myself is home. Happy weekend, dear friend.
I see home is a place where bare feet are welcome! No need to cover-up, just like Jesus knows us completely and there is no need to hide any parts of ourselves.
I love how you describe home. Jesus knows even part of us so coming as we are is exactly how I think of home too.
I hope you are doing well, friend. Thank you for stopping by.
Mary, this post is beautiful and has greatly encouraged me this morning. Blessings, Jennifer
Home is where I can most be myself, where I am known and can know. Perhaps that is the reason I am so grateful Christ is at home in me – He knows me and makes Himself known to me. Mary, this post is beautiful and encouraged me this morning. Blessings!
Thank you for this sweet encouragement. Knowing Christ is at home inside us is the best gift, isn’t it?
My understanding of home is definitely changing as my family grows and as I find myself actually leaving home more often myself. Thanks for exploring this wonderful concept.
My understanding of home is also changing. I am exploring the thoughts and emotions that come with our eternal home. Thank you for stopping by.