Well obviously it has been months since I have posted anything. I have come across items, events or thoughts to put on here but never get it done. Such as---
--A new president elected. (Lots of opinions there!)
--An ice storm that ravished NW Arkansas and other areas. (How it effected us.)
--End times discussion, (precipitated by our last election).
--Developing the thesis statement: What I believe doesn't determine what is true.
--Discussing unity in the church, recognizing we are all human (imperfect), but need all the 'body parts' to be whole.
--Work related issues, 1. local use vs. authority records, 2. accepting change, 3. getting along with your coworkers.
--Noting personal milestones: (my youngest son graduates from college in May, at age 30. Woo Hoo! Good for you JRWG)
--And personal activities, (1. I joined a local community choir; I've enjoyed it but it takes a lot of my time; concert is Saturday so we'll be done for a while. 2. I'm still trying to get us all unpacked and settled. 3. I want to do more scrapbooking, and even get back into my painting... 4. We've had visits by friends and family.)
I also need to determine what direction to take this blog. Do I want to keep it personal? But who cares in the world about a strangers life? Do I keep it professional? If so, General or specific? Do I make it spiritual and discuss issues that come in the Christian world. Do I use this just to voice my opinion on national and world events? But what difference does it make what I think? Keep this as a diary?
So, hang in there. We'll see if we want to continue and on what theme or to use this time getting all those other things waiting for my attention.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
While we're talking about it...
...I just heard a week ago that Louis Teicher passed away this past year. You may not know who that is unless I say "Ferrante and Teicher" and if you are 50 and older. They were a piano duo that met in Juliard and went on to fame as duo-pianists. They came to Birmingham, AL while I was in college in the late 60's/early 70's. I was able to attend the concert and enjoyed every minute of it - especially since my undergraduate major was piano. I still have the records of them that I had bought those many years ago. Even tho' they no longer can play together, we can still enjoy their tremendous talent.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Death - so routine, yet not.
Tuesday evening, some friends W&MW lost a friend to cancer. SB was a fairly young man, about 49 years old. He was estranged from family. W&M and 2 other couples were about the only "family" he had. We visited the hospital Sunday where SB was hospitalized; medicated so heavily because of pain.
This has been hard on W&M because he was like their son. Being that we are friends of the friends - it puts a layer of people between us and SB. Does that make sense? But watching this from the sidelines has brought some musings to my mind. SB was a christian and ready to go be with the Lord. Yet, he was not wanting to die. He wanted to fight. We all have that will-to-live fight in all of us. It is natural. Yet, "from dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return."
This, of course, is not the first time I have encountered the death of someone. Our parents, other relatives and many friends have passed away. (Even my last post was the obit of a professional friend of mine.) Yet every time it seems like such an interruption to life, sometimes even a waste from the human point of view.
Dying is a natural process, yet we very seldom want to embrace it. It isn't routine, obviously, since it can only happen once in each persons own life. Yet it happens all the time. Is it something we can accept? Just why is it so hard to accept the death of someone? Often we have emotional ties to the deceased. We will not be able to have that kind of relationship again.
This is true, but death is a very natural part of life. I don't know that I really have an answer to these questions, but it is something to think about. I don't know that I really am any closer to accepting or understanding death, either. I do know that death is not an evil thing. Scripture even states that 'precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.'
I suppose we fall somewhere between being totally torn apart when someone is ripped out of our life to being emotionally detached knowing that death is just part of the cycle of life. It could be that none of us will never really, totally understand death until we experience it for ourselves. Yet the knowledge gained cannot be passed on to someone else, until they, too, pass to the 'other side.' In other words, this may be something we can never know on this side of life.
This has been hard on W&M because he was like their son. Being that we are friends of the friends - it puts a layer of people between us and SB. Does that make sense? But watching this from the sidelines has brought some musings to my mind. SB was a christian and ready to go be with the Lord. Yet, he was not wanting to die. He wanted to fight. We all have that will-to-live fight in all of us. It is natural. Yet, "from dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return."
This, of course, is not the first time I have encountered the death of someone. Our parents, other relatives and many friends have passed away. (Even my last post was the obit of a professional friend of mine.) Yet every time it seems like such an interruption to life, sometimes even a waste from the human point of view.
Dying is a natural process, yet we very seldom want to embrace it. It isn't routine, obviously, since it can only happen once in each persons own life. Yet it happens all the time. Is it something we can accept? Just why is it so hard to accept the death of someone? Often we have emotional ties to the deceased. We will not be able to have that kind of relationship again.
This is true, but death is a very natural part of life. I don't know that I really have an answer to these questions, but it is something to think about. I don't know that I really am any closer to accepting or understanding death, either. I do know that death is not an evil thing. Scripture even states that 'precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.'
I suppose we fall somewhere between being totally torn apart when someone is ripped out of our life to being emotionally detached knowing that death is just part of the cycle of life. It could be that none of us will never really, totally understand death until we experience it for ourselves. Yet the knowledge gained cannot be passed on to someone else, until they, too, pass to the 'other side.' In other words, this may be something we can never know on this side of life.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hilda Kroeker's obit
Kroeker, Hilda
Hilda Kroeker passed from this life to be with her Lord on January 4, 2009. She was born Dec. 16, 1924, at Mountain Lake, Minn., and was the third of nine children born to Martin and Helen Kroeker. At a young age, the family moved to the community of Marion, South Dakota, where she attended elementary and high school. She graduated from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., and received her masters degree from Emporia State University, Emporia, Kan. She began her teaching career in 1950, at the elementary and high school levels. She joined the faculty of Calvary Bible College as head librarian in Kansas City, Mo., in 1962, where she remained through 1984. After retiring, she began her second career in apartment management. She was an active member of Mission Road Bible Church until her health would not allow her to participate in many activities. She kept a personal interest in the lives of many of her former students and remained friends with them. She greatly enjoyed traveling, and participated in many of the trips sponsored by Powell Gardens. She kept extensive scrapbooks of each of her trips. While at Calvary Bible College, she organized the "Friends of the Library," and served in many capacities of the Christian Librarians Association, including Vice-President and President. She was honored with having the library at Calvary Bible College named "Hilda Kroeker Library." She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one sister, one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Loewen, Martha Fast and Elvira Plett, all of Hillsboro; her brothers, Werner Kroeker, Clovis, Calif., Alvin Kroeker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and O.J. Kroeker, Shawnee, Kan.; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews, and many friends locally and across the country. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kan. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at Mission Road Bible Church, 7820 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan. Contributions in her memory may be made to New Hope Children's Home, India. Mail to: College Community Church, 2529 Willow Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, (913) 451- 1860.
I have just arrived back home from traveling to Kansas City for Miss Kroeker's funeral. It was a lovely celebration of her life and ministry. Many testified of her love and interest for her family and for young people. After her parents died she took up their commitment of praying for their children and grandchildren every day. How many of us parents even have that desire today?
Hilda Kroeker passed from this life to be with her Lord on January 4, 2009. She was born Dec. 16, 1924, at Mountain Lake, Minn., and was the third of nine children born to Martin and Helen Kroeker. At a young age, the family moved to the community of Marion, South Dakota, where she attended elementary and high school. She graduated from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., and received her masters degree from Emporia State University, Emporia, Kan. She began her teaching career in 1950, at the elementary and high school levels. She joined the faculty of Calvary Bible College as head librarian in Kansas City, Mo., in 1962, where she remained through 1984. After retiring, she began her second career in apartment management. She was an active member of Mission Road Bible Church until her health would not allow her to participate in many activities. She kept a personal interest in the lives of many of her former students and remained friends with them. She greatly enjoyed traveling, and participated in many of the trips sponsored by Powell Gardens. She kept extensive scrapbooks of each of her trips. While at Calvary Bible College, she organized the "Friends of the Library," and served in many capacities of the Christian Librarians Association, including Vice-President and President. She was honored with having the library at Calvary Bible College named "Hilda Kroeker Library." She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one sister, one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Loewen, Martha Fast and Elvira Plett, all of Hillsboro; her brothers, Werner Kroeker, Clovis, Calif., Alvin Kroeker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and O.J. Kroeker, Shawnee, Kan.; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews, and many friends locally and across the country. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kan. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at Mission Road Bible Church, 7820 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan. Contributions in her memory may be made to New Hope Children's Home, India. Mail to: College Community Church, 2529 Willow Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, (913) 451- 1860.
I have just arrived back home from traveling to Kansas City for Miss Kroeker's funeral. It was a lovely celebration of her life and ministry. Many testified of her love and interest for her family and for young people. After her parents died she took up their commitment of praying for their children and grandchildren every day. How many of us parents even have that desire today?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hilda Kroeker
Miss Hilda Kroeker passed away Sunday and is now enjoying her rewards in heaven. This lady served as the first professionally degreed librarian for Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO (USA). She served there for well over 20 years. The exact amount now escapes my mind.
I had the privledge of meeting her and visiting with her on a few occasions. Years later, I followed her in the same position (with other intervening librarians.) She did a lot to bring up the quality and level of the library to academic standards. She was a leader and mentor. She advised me on a few occasions and encouraged me on others. One urging was to join the Associaion of Christian Librarians which she had been involved in for many years.
She never married or had children. But she was an asset to many young people that passed through our academic halls of CBCTS. She was at least in her late 70's. She never forget her poise and professionalism. She was a big supporter of the Friends of the Library well into the last years of her life, including during the years that yours truely worked at reviving the comatose organization.
She gave much of herself to the institution and the library, so it was a wonderful day when CBCTS recognized her by naming the library after her. It was the least we could do for her after all she did for us.
I had the privledge of meeting her and visiting with her on a few occasions. Years later, I followed her in the same position (with other intervening librarians.) She did a lot to bring up the quality and level of the library to academic standards. She was a leader and mentor. She advised me on a few occasions and encouraged me on others. One urging was to join the Associaion of Christian Librarians which she had been involved in for many years.
She never married or had children. But she was an asset to many young people that passed through our academic halls of CBCTS. She was at least in her late 70's. She never forget her poise and professionalism. She was a big supporter of the Friends of the Library well into the last years of her life, including during the years that yours truely worked at reviving the comatose organization.
She gave much of herself to the institution and the library, so it was a wonderful day when CBCTS recognized her by naming the library after her. It was the least we could do for her after all she did for us.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year's Intentions
.
It has been said that you no longer are to make New Year's Resolutions. Instead, they are to be called Intentions. That's probably a good thing, because that is pretty much what resolutions turn out to be. How many have we made down through the years and never kept? - Maybe not every year. But any year? yeah, we very seldom keep any of them.
So this year, I have some intentions. One of them is to get back to my exercise regimen and healthier eating. I did well for 1 1/2 years and lost xxxxx amout of weight. But when I quit work in May, and began preparing for our "big" move this year, my "routine" and structure fell by the wayside. So I put about 2/3's of the weight back on.
Holidays are the "worst" time to try to diet. I decided that I was going to enjoy the holidays, but as soon as they were over, I was hitting the gym once again. Yesterday, after work I went back to the gym and starting exercising. I walked a mile, carrying some light weights, then worked out on 6 or 7 machines. I put in about 45 minutes of some good exercise.
Already this morning I could tell the difference. Although, having exercised late in the day, I slept very light and woke up about every hour till towards morning. BUT, the good thing was, I woke up (the last time) about an half hour before I usually get up. When I did - I was WIDE AWAKE. Now, you have to understand, I am not a morning person and it takes me awhile to really feel awake and revved.
I'm slow to get started and awake but I'm also slow to wind down at night. It's easy for me to "sleep-in" come morning and it is easy for me to stay up late at night. But today I was wide-eyed and bushy tailed. What did I do? I got up! WOW. That gave me a whole extra half hour in the morning.
I decided to go into work early. As a result, I was able to take an hour for lunch instead of an half hour. Since I did that - I was able to come home during lunch and get some supper cooked for Mike to have when he got up. Maybe he can even take some to work tonight.
Now don't get any bright ideas! I can't promise I'll do that every day. But, my INTENTIONS are to keep up this new routine as much as I can. I don't really have any other planned intentions. But, finishing getting unpacked would probably be a good one to add. But there's also so many other new things I want to get involved in, here in Arkansas that I didn't have the opportunity to do, living in the country in Kansas. So, I don't know how quickly the rest of that unpacking will get done. Well, maybe a year from today, I can an inventory and see just how well my intentions turned out, and just how much of that unpacking I got done.
What about you? Do you even have any? How did you do with your "resolutions" from a year ago? Maybe you ought to make a list of (only) intentions. BTW, there's not as much guilt with having intentions then resolutions if you don't get them done.
It has been said that you no longer are to make New Year's Resolutions. Instead, they are to be called Intentions. That's probably a good thing, because that is pretty much what resolutions turn out to be. How many have we made down through the years and never kept? - Maybe not every year. But any year? yeah, we very seldom keep any of them.
So this year, I have some intentions. One of them is to get back to my exercise regimen and healthier eating. I did well for 1 1/2 years and lost xxxxx amout of weight. But when I quit work in May, and began preparing for our "big" move this year, my "routine" and structure fell by the wayside. So I put about 2/3's of the weight back on.
Holidays are the "worst" time to try to diet. I decided that I was going to enjoy the holidays, but as soon as they were over, I was hitting the gym once again. Yesterday, after work I went back to the gym and starting exercising. I walked a mile, carrying some light weights, then worked out on 6 or 7 machines. I put in about 45 minutes of some good exercise.
Already this morning I could tell the difference. Although, having exercised late in the day, I slept very light and woke up about every hour till towards morning. BUT, the good thing was, I woke up (the last time) about an half hour before I usually get up. When I did - I was WIDE AWAKE. Now, you have to understand, I am not a morning person and it takes me awhile to really feel awake and revved.
I'm slow to get started and awake but I'm also slow to wind down at night. It's easy for me to "sleep-in" come morning and it is easy for me to stay up late at night. But today I was wide-eyed and bushy tailed. What did I do? I got up! WOW. That gave me a whole extra half hour in the morning.
I decided to go into work early. As a result, I was able to take an hour for lunch instead of an half hour. Since I did that - I was able to come home during lunch and get some supper cooked for Mike to have when he got up. Maybe he can even take some to work tonight.
Now don't get any bright ideas! I can't promise I'll do that every day. But, my INTENTIONS are to keep up this new routine as much as I can. I don't really have any other planned intentions. But, finishing getting unpacked would probably be a good one to add. But there's also so many other new things I want to get involved in, here in Arkansas that I didn't have the opportunity to do, living in the country in Kansas. So, I don't know how quickly the rest of that unpacking will get done. Well, maybe a year from today, I can an inventory and see just how well my intentions turned out, and just how much of that unpacking I got done.
What about you? Do you even have any? How did you do with your "resolutions" from a year ago? Maybe you ought to make a list of (only) intentions. BTW, there's not as much guilt with having intentions then resolutions if you don't get them done.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Psalm in my heart
I have been reading out of a devotional book of the above title. I can't remmeber where I got it. I think that maybe I got it from a book sale when I was at CBC library. It ends the year talking about the last of the Psalms. The last of the Psalms are full of prases to God.
As I end this year and reflect back on what has taken place this year, I, too, praise the Lord. It has been a year full of blessings. Yes there have been uncertain times, stressful times, times of "are we doing the right thing?" But there have also been times of provision, confirmation, and obvious guidance from the Lord. So I'm thankful even for the rough times, because they make you appreciate the good times even more.
We have accomplished what we set out to do this year, (moving); the Lord has provided both of us, my husband and I, with good jobs; we have made some wonderful new friends and the Lord is blessing the ministry we are involved in. We have a nice home to live in, [and it's all on one floor - easier on older people's joints]. :-)
So as we end this year, I praise the Lord, for He is good.
Have you counted your blessings yet?
As I end this year and reflect back on what has taken place this year, I, too, praise the Lord. It has been a year full of blessings. Yes there have been uncertain times, stressful times, times of "are we doing the right thing?" But there have also been times of provision, confirmation, and obvious guidance from the Lord. So I'm thankful even for the rough times, because they make you appreciate the good times even more.
We have accomplished what we set out to do this year, (moving); the Lord has provided both of us, my husband and I, with good jobs; we have made some wonderful new friends and the Lord is blessing the ministry we are involved in. We have a nice home to live in, [and it's all on one floor - easier on older people's joints]. :-)
So as we end this year, I praise the Lord, for He is good.
Have you counted your blessings yet?
Monday, December 29, 2008
Blessings
As I have gotten older, and accumalted more "stuff" - I have come to the conclusion that I don't need "things" to be happy or even for gifts. They just add to the clutter that I don't want to get rid of but don't need. So, I have begun giving gifts that ARE consumable (sorry, Mom). So today was a day full of those kinds of blessings:
I was in the Kansas City area today and had lunch with friends.
SH picked up the tab. (Her Christmas present to us.)(Thank you, SH)
MJS gave me a tin of cashews. (She knows me well - and that's an understatement!) I munched on them, on the way back to Arkansas. (Thank you, MJ)
JR came along but actually provided the transportation! (Thanks, JR. I'm so glad you came with us.)
We had a wonderful time, caught up on news - of family, of friends and of course of CBC - our common link as we all either do or did work there. We had a good time and plan to do it again - soon, we hope.
Then, after a brief moment at my daughter-in-law's house, I headed back to Arkansas. I arrived home about 7, safe and sound. (another blessing.)
Before I left Kansas for KC, my son helped me load my truck with some more 'earthly goods'. His help was most appreciated. (I also stopped by a friend's house the night before and she gave me a treat - some homemade cookies and candy! Ah, a consummable gift! and I munched on them today, too.)
So today was a day full of many blessings! I am a richer woman today than I was yesterday! I am most blessed. To God be praised, "even in the good times" (so to speak).
[Extra two cents worth: why did I say 'even in the good times'? Because - since it's easy to praise God when things are good, we tend to not even acknowledge Him at all. And it's just as important in the good times as it is in the "not so good" times. Ok - that's a little extra sermonette thrown in free. OR maybe it was just rabbit chasing.]
I was in the Kansas City area today and had lunch with friends.
SH picked up the tab. (Her Christmas present to us.)(Thank you, SH)
MJS gave me a tin of cashews. (She knows me well - and that's an understatement!) I munched on them, on the way back to Arkansas. (Thank you, MJ)
JR came along but actually provided the transportation! (Thanks, JR. I'm so glad you came with us.)
We had a wonderful time, caught up on news - of family, of friends and of course of CBC - our common link as we all either do or did work there. We had a good time and plan to do it again - soon, we hope.
Then, after a brief moment at my daughter-in-law's house, I headed back to Arkansas. I arrived home about 7, safe and sound. (another blessing.)
Before I left Kansas for KC, my son helped me load my truck with some more 'earthly goods'. His help was most appreciated. (I also stopped by a friend's house the night before and she gave me a treat - some homemade cookies and candy! Ah, a consummable gift! and I munched on them today, too.)
So today was a day full of many blessings! I am a richer woman today than I was yesterday! I am most blessed. To God be praised, "even in the good times" (so to speak).
[Extra two cents worth: why did I say 'even in the good times'? Because - since it's easy to praise God when things are good, we tend to not even acknowledge Him at all. And it's just as important in the good times as it is in the "not so good" times. Ok - that's a little extra sermonette thrown in free. OR maybe it was just rabbit chasing.]
Sunday, December 28, 2008
How Great Thou Art
Today in church, I sang this song with MW. It is a beautiful song and is hard to mess it up. It's message carries the song no matter how you do it. But we did fine. I even played for us as well as sing - something I can't always do! But I did it more in an acommpaniment style - not playing every single note - but chords and "fillers".
I've been playing more lately than I have in years and I've noticed that the Lord is bringing it back to me, more and more. I have alot of music "in me" so I hope that I will have the opportunity here to share it with others. My new friend, MW, is musical too and has even been professional with her music and with clogging. (She's been teaching me the basic steps - what a work out!)
I'm taking my daughter MS back to Kansas tonight. I have really enjoyed having her here this week. The time has gone by very fast. But we have had a good time together and have fun doing things together, too. Of course, shopping was one of them!! But it's been fun.
I've been playing more lately than I have in years and I've noticed that the Lord is bringing it back to me, more and more. I have alot of music "in me" so I hope that I will have the opportunity here to share it with others. My new friend, MW, is musical too and has even been professional with her music and with clogging. (She's been teaching me the basic steps - what a work out!)
I'm taking my daughter MS back to Kansas tonight. I have really enjoyed having her here this week. The time has gone by very fast. But we have had a good time together and have fun doing things together, too. Of course, shopping was one of them!! But it's been fun.
Friday, December 26, 2008
HOME
Home! Just what is home? Is home where you were born? Is home where you grew up? Is home where you live now? Is home where your parents are - or were? What qualifies as home?
Much has been written on this simple four letter word. "Home is where the heart is" - "This world is not my home, (I'm just a passing through)" - "I'll be home for Christmas" which ends with: "if only in my dreams."
The word generates a warm fuzzy feeling - most of the time anyway. But what is home? a simple ranch style house? a bungalow built in yesteryears? a trailer? a cabin? a mansion with more rooms than you know what to do with? a cardboard box that once held an appliance? Maybe even a car? Is it anywhere you live? Is it with family? Is it by yourself? Is it with friends, even?
It can be any combination of these. I don't have some epiphinal answer. But I do think that love has a lot to do with what home is. We live in a new (to us) house this Christmas. There are no memories associated with it from the past years, no memories of raising kids here, or of visiting grandparents and other relatives. But to me it is home - it is where we have chosen to live. It's where we are right now.
Chrismas is so asociated with 'Home' - and yesterday is usually spent with family in the home of one of them. But yesterday, I didn't spend it at home. My husband had to work, & none of our kids were here except one. So my daughter, M., and I went to spend the afternoon and evening in someone else's home. We had a wonderful time. We cooked, (beans and cornbread), we ate, we played, we listened to music, we watched TV, we visited, and we went looking at christmas lights after it got dark -again not a typical Christmas day, in many ways. But we were with friends - christian friends, so they really are family...on a more important plane.
About 11 pm we came back to my house - my home - blessed for a wonderful day remembering the birth of our saviour and fellowship with friends, ...in their home. This may not be the answer to the question(s) with which we started. Maybe home IS where the heart is. Home is where you're loved, where you feel safe, where you feel comfortable and wanted. It may not be inside the house where you live - it may be in someone else's. The material with which your home is built is not what is important, either. It's how you feel inside. Inside that home and inside your heart.
Whatever you call home now, remember no matter what kind of home it is, it is temporary. Someday we will be in a 'home' that will never break down, never betray us, never let in robbers or theives, and never cause us to be sick, if we have embraced that babe in Bethlehem as our Saviour. You have a home waiting for you that is permanent and better than any home ever built on earth. But that depends on what you have done about the babe in the manger.
If you haven't done anything about Jesus, you, too, have a home waiting for you - the worse you could ever imagine. It's really not called a home, but it is a real place. However, I hope that you have a home that is bright and fair, waiting for you to arrive. That's why Jesus came at Christmas - so you could live with Him in His house. He tells us He has gone to prepare that home for us. He has plenty of room for you.
Well, we hear "I'll be home for Christmas" this time of year. I was home for Christmas and I hope, wherever you were, you were home - for now.
Much has been written on this simple four letter word. "Home is where the heart is" - "This world is not my home, (I'm just a passing through)" - "I'll be home for Christmas" which ends with: "if only in my dreams."
The word generates a warm fuzzy feeling - most of the time anyway. But what is home? a simple ranch style house? a bungalow built in yesteryears? a trailer? a cabin? a mansion with more rooms than you know what to do with? a cardboard box that once held an appliance? Maybe even a car? Is it anywhere you live? Is it with family? Is it by yourself? Is it with friends, even?
It can be any combination of these. I don't have some epiphinal answer. But I do think that love has a lot to do with what home is. We live in a new (to us) house this Christmas. There are no memories associated with it from the past years, no memories of raising kids here, or of visiting grandparents and other relatives. But to me it is home - it is where we have chosen to live. It's where we are right now.
Chrismas is so asociated with 'Home' - and yesterday is usually spent with family in the home of one of them. But yesterday, I didn't spend it at home. My husband had to work, & none of our kids were here except one. So my daughter, M., and I went to spend the afternoon and evening in someone else's home. We had a wonderful time. We cooked, (beans and cornbread), we ate, we played, we listened to music, we watched TV, we visited, and we went looking at christmas lights after it got dark -again not a typical Christmas day, in many ways. But we were with friends - christian friends, so they really are family...on a more important plane.
About 11 pm we came back to my house - my home - blessed for a wonderful day remembering the birth of our saviour and fellowship with friends, ...in their home. This may not be the answer to the question(s) with which we started. Maybe home IS where the heart is. Home is where you're loved, where you feel safe, where you feel comfortable and wanted. It may not be inside the house where you live - it may be in someone else's. The material with which your home is built is not what is important, either. It's how you feel inside. Inside that home and inside your heart.
Whatever you call home now, remember no matter what kind of home it is, it is temporary. Someday we will be in a 'home' that will never break down, never betray us, never let in robbers or theives, and never cause us to be sick, if we have embraced that babe in Bethlehem as our Saviour. You have a home waiting for you that is permanent and better than any home ever built on earth. But that depends on what you have done about the babe in the manger.
If you haven't done anything about Jesus, you, too, have a home waiting for you - the worse you could ever imagine. It's really not called a home, but it is a real place. However, I hope that you have a home that is bright and fair, waiting for you to arrive. That's why Jesus came at Christmas - so you could live with Him in His house. He tells us He has gone to prepare that home for us. He has plenty of room for you.
Well, we hear "I'll be home for Christmas" this time of year. I was home for Christmas and I hope, wherever you were, you were home - for now.
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