For the next five weeks we will look at what it means to go home for the holidays. So many have such deep pain around their memories of home and going home. I pray these reflections might bring healing.
I thought I knew where I was going, a
quick trip to the airport to pick up family flying in- so simple,
right? I arrived early and ran up the steps, two by two, eagerly
scanning the arrivals; their flight was in. Gazing at the security
line I noticed a soldier boarding and mentally thanked him for his
service. Five minutes went by and I scrambled down to baggage claim,
but couldn’t find them, so I ran up the stairs again to wait at the
gate. No sign of them. After searching and waiting, reaching for the
phone only to realize I didn’t have their numbers, I began to get
frantic. How could I connect with them? I kept seeking them where
they had always met me before.
So it is with family and home comings.
We wait for someone in the place we have always met them, but they
have changed and we can no longer find them there. We must negotiate
arrivals and find ways to relate when our hearts are longing for more
than a welcome. We want to be found; receiving acceptance and grace
for who we have become, not who we were when we left.
After finding my in-laws we make our
way home to dinner and a full table. Sharing the details of their
journey they settle in for a visit. It will be brief and busy, but we
have moments and memories to string together and draw our hearts just
that much closer. We will go to the coast, Mom and I, to walk the
Marginal Way and Dad will go antiquing; little gifts of time and
grace to hold space for each other.
I wonder how far you are from home and
others. Will you find home in these holidays?
Medicine from Sacred Writing:
“That son, when he returned to His
Father’s house, came to his former honor and appeared more glorious
than him who had ever been well-pleasing.”
John Chrysostom Fourth Century
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