How To Find Home, Wherever You Are
“Home is Where the Heart Is.” It makes for a cute welcome mat or decoration, but when unexpected life circumstances require us to let go of what we call home, this phrase can feel kitschy and unhelpful. We associate the feeling of being home with being safe and secure, and having to redefine that can make us feel lost.
As uncomfortable as times like these are, it’s also an ideal time for us to find stability in what can always withstand change: our relationship with God. Here are some tips to help us remember that home can always be found within.
Keep Memories, Release Things
Whether due to a death in the family, the need to make space for a new child or a long distance move, many different situations can require us to leave things behind. Our belongings can flood us with memories from all the twists and turns in our lives, but it’s important to always remember that these belongings are objects first. The memory can live on without the object attached to it.
If it’s necessary to let go of something with sentimental value, try taking photos of the object, or even better, use a voice recorder to tell yourself the stories connected to the object while it’s still in your hands—it keeps the memories much more vivid, and the digital form takes much less space than the object, allowing you to move forward freely!
Let Yourself Fall in Love Again
Sometimes our move to a new place is a choice that requires some sacrifice, such as moving away to support a spouse’s career growth, or to care for a loved one. We make these choices knowing that it’s for the best, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling the pinch of leaving a place we love. As hard as it is to let go of what feels safe, we can feel comfort in knowing that God lives everywhere—and can’t wait to share everything He loves about this new place with you.
Just like any other relationship, the bond we build with our new surroundings takes time. Try thinking of your new place as a person you are getting to know, and spend time together! It can help to do a photo walk, snapping pictures of interesting nooks and crannies, or simply look for some sacred spaces where you can reconnect with God and with yourself. Before you know it, you will feel your heart smiling as it learns to love something new.
Put Out Your Welcome Mat
As much as a familiar environment and belongings are a part of that feeling of home, what would a home be without people? They are the ones with whom our cherished memories are made. If we are moving away with a loved one, remembering just how fortunate we are to have them can keep things in perspective. We might be saying goodbye to many things, but at least we have them to make new memories with!
However, if your transition to a new home makes it necessary to live far from loved ones, doing your best to get comfortable with the new people surrounding you will help create that sense of home. Even if you are not familiar with the local language or culture yet, approaching people with a smile and an open heart will in turn open their hearts to welcome you in. Offer to serve using your unique talents, or invest time into a local group activity or ministry.
By making these kinds of efforts, we make the conscious choice to embrace change as something positive, and by doing that, we place ourselves into a mindset where God can remind us of an often forgotten yet powerfully divine truth—wherever God is, home is.
What are your tips for feeling at home in a new place? Share with us in the comments below!