Feeling at Home

Nearly two months have passed since our truck rolled up in front of our new house. Our dogs were frantically running around in the new back yard most of the day while the crew unloaded box after box into the house. Stacks of boxes formed like stalagmites in many rooms, nearly reaching the ceiling in some places. Big furniture – couches, chairs, tables and more – were placed in their respective rooms. Bikes and tools too bulky to pack were put in the garage. Beds were set up but unmade. But thankfully boxes of bedding were well marked so that could happen right away. If you have moved, even some time ago, much of that probably still seems familiar.

Unboxing happened quickly at first. We had to find so many things right away. Drawers and cabinets were filled with clothing, dishes, food… The living room was rearranged. Then rearranged again. We had to find plates and cups, the coffeemaker and kitchen tools. We needed to be able to do the basics almost immediately, so we pushed through the first wave of work.

Once the things we needed for daily living were unpacked, progress slowed a bit. We got busy with school, work, and other parts of living in a new place. Finding new doctors, stores, and routines took a few weeks. Meeting new neighbors, walking our dogs around new streets, and all the new sounds and smells… so much has been new.

But now, even with many boxes from moving still needing attention, we feel more and more “at home.” We’ve explored some. We’ve enjoyed the beach. We’ve met some nice people – both in the congregation and school, and in the community. We’ve realized that we have to allow for conversation time when we are around town – that was uncommon where we lived recently. God has blessed us immensely. We fully expect the feeling of community to continue to grow as we grow in our relationships with people around us.

“At home” is where we have comfortable surroundings – physical and relational. We might put our feet up on coffee table, but I won’t on yours. I sometimes fall asleep on my own couch, something that could feel embarrassing elsewhere. In my house I know where to find what I need – or whom to ask when I can’t. I know what is expected and what to expect. “At home” means relaxed, at ease, peaceful, and calm.

But I hope I don’t become too comfortable here in my surroundings and among people I know. I don’t mean I want to be uncomfortable! But I want to keep the sense of newness and exploration. I want to keep meeting new people. I want to continue to say hello to neighbors and introduce myself to new potential friends, while I continue to build the relationships I have. I want to avoid “putting my feet up” and resting in the status quo.

There are people around us who need to know Jesus. Let’s not be so comfortable with our routines, our relationships, and our surroundings that we neglect to say hello. Let’s keep bringing Jesus into the community and building the kingdom of God by making Him known to more and more people. Let’s welcome people into the church, school, and our homes and help them feel comfortable. Let’s embrace some newness, even some discomfort, to make an environment that is open to what God can do. After all, we’re not home yet.