home for a little while.

I am home from training.

For a little while.

At the beginning of February, due to a couple of freezing days in El Paso, pipes burst and our house flooded.  The house to which I have returned is beautiful!  The richness of color now invading every room and the blending of new styles of fabrics is fascinating and enchanting.  I love it!  But along with being so fresh and new and beautiful, it is also different.

It is different.  But not in a bad way.  I am so glad that God brought the flood, because along with it He brought newness and inspiration for cleaning!  It is different.  And as I lay looking at the newly painted ceiling in the new twin/trundle bed in my new room, I thought how the house is such a picture of my life right now.

Change.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Transition.
Living uncomfortable to move toward something better.
New.

One of my brothers in Christ spoke up during our wrap-up session at training.  He shared with us that he had learned that there is a difference between "house" and "home."  House is a building, that is familiar and comfortable, and carries with it the idea of safety and security.  But a home is more.  Home is being with people you love.  Home is peace.  Home is anywhere that God is in control and He is the focus of the heart(s) there.  Houses can be destroyed, but homes stand.  Houses can change often; home can change, but it remains.  One couple mentioned that the new house in their new country where they are going soon will be their 23rd house.  But home, for this couple, is each other.

I have returned home for a little while.  The house has changed, but my home has not.  I am so thankful to God for these 11 days to spend with my family and friends.  I have thought that saying goodbye to them soon is leaving home.  But God is always with me.  And He is leading me to a new home with Him.  My comfort is in God.  And home is with my family in Christ in spirit no matter where I am.

Though I am leaving for Kenya for two weeks, and then Zambia for a month, and then finally to Sudan for two years, I am not leaving home.  It will just be different.  In a wonderful way!