It’s funny what folks call home, isn’t it? I live here at “Buckingham Bottom” as Daddy named it, but I will always call Blackberry Flats home. Our Princess considers Japan home when she talks about it sometimes because she was born there. Just as my sweet little neighbor friend is happy in his new place in another state–“This is my home. I was born here.” Mac, my friend who is once again on the streets, calls the city of Macon in general his home. He is at home by the river, on the streets, sitting by the convenience store. Many of our friends without a roof over their heads call Daybreak home.
Home.
Some folks are still searching. Some feel lost and alone sitting where they have always been, surrounded by people they know.
Tonight I share with you this quote from the book “Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart” by the Women of Magdalene and Becca Stevens. It touched all of us on Tuesday during our Sister Circle. Each of us from different walks of life, along different paths on our journey–it spoke to each one of us. And I hope it will speak to your heart as well.
Tonight I ask God to sit with those who feel lost and don’t know how to begin the journey back home. And with those who don’t even know what home looks like. Also with those who are on the journey home through this cool, dark night. And those who have no one else to tell them they love them or that they are enough or that they will be right there until everything is okay. Home.
Each time Mac calls, albeit sporadically, before he gets off the phone he says, “If no one else has told you they love you today, well, Mac Carlton loves you.”
I know it’s silly, but that makes me smile and warms my heart. He can worry me and even frustrate me, but hearing I am loved and knowing I am–that helps me feel a little less lost in the moments when everything going on gets overwhelming and hard.
May we seek to be the instruments of peace and encouragement and compassion, the compasses for those who are lost–so they can believe the trip home is possible and find their way home to love and acceptance and warmth. Wherever that may be.
Amen.
I Might Need A Nap 