Home Sweet Home

Finally after over two months abroad, we’re heading home! Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and California have all been on the menu this trip. Sleeping on floors, in cars, some beds, and couches made it a memorable experience.

But visiting family and friends made it a great experience! Sad that we could not see more friends than we did. I told folks this summer was like herding cats! Our kids are all over the map. We’ve had family in Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, France, Spain and all over California by the end of this trip!

People in California asked how it feels to be back home. That’s a very interesting question. At this stage of our lives we have spent 27 years in Chile! I’m 54 so that means half our lives have been spent outside the USA. So I find myself pausing and searching for an answer to that question. They say that “home is where the heart is” and I guess that really is true. But where is home for me?

Jesus made it very clear to his followers and wannabe followers when he said, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Luke 9:58

When he sent his disciples out to share the good news, he made it clear how they should travel. He probably did not mean for them to keep such a low profile for all their lives. But he set a good example for all of us to ponder as we look at our lives and accumulated possessions.  He told them to: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Luke 9:3

John made it clear to us how we are to approach our possessions as well when he said the following:

 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1John 2:15-16

So I have been reconsidering a number of areas in my life lately. One area has to do with our possessions. When I accumulate many things, is it I who accumulate them, or am I the one being accumulated by them? Julie and I have decided to serve Christ with our lives in any way we can. 

He makes a beautiful promise when he said:

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Mat. 19:29

Wealth is such a big responsibility before God. It carries with it a huge challenge to use it for God’s glory and not just our own selfish desires. I can say we have known some truly happy, wealthy people in our lives. But they all had one thing in common. They saw their wealth as God’s not their own. They sought to use it for his glory and purpose. They faithfully managed his money for him with their lives. And they enjoyed that peace that passes all understanding by putting Him first in everything. Self-serving wealth ends up consuming the consumer!

As we headed for the airport in LA, we saw the Good Year Blimp taking off. I realized they must lighten their load to go aloft and fly. I think God was trying to tell me something in that imagery.  The less attached we are to the things of this world, the greater is our ability to fly with the angels!

We arrived late last night to the place we call home for now. All our “stuff” is pushed into one room so our friends could have the house over the last couple months. I asked Julie if we could just take the things we will use out and give the rest away. She thought that was a good idea. It really is freeing and fun to do!

When packing for a trip, we try to take only what we need. (I only travel with a carry on and small book pack on trips) Traveling lite really help us to reach our destination and achieve our goals en route. So my advice today is to travel lite. Or maybe it’s better to say “travel light”! Life is a marathon, not a hundred yard dash. Those who walk in the light, keeping God’s pace, not letting the things of this world weigh them down, receive an eternal weight of glory. That is the only weight we really need!