State Parks, restaurants, hotel rooms, shopping, and car rides. What do all these things have in common? Vacation. My husband and I were able to get away for a few days to a beautiful place in Minnesota with antique shops and river views. Though it both snowed and rained during our time away, we had the time we needed to rest and reconnect. It was just what we needed.
No matter where I travel, however, after a while, I am ready to head home. Home has my favorite chair, my comfortable bed, and even my hidden snack supply. I would love to take those things with me when I travel, but that would not work. And honestly, if I took them out of their current environment, they would probably lose their appeal.
I firmly believe that home is more about the environment and less about things. What I mean by the environment is this: the overall feelings any space gives you. The right home environment will be a place that has both love and peace. It will be a setting where you feel safe and nourished. And because it has all of those parts, it will have the conditions that are the best for healing.
What I have found to be true is that a person can affect the environment. Either for good or for evil. You can have a beautiful home designed by Joanna Gaines, and if the wrong person comes in the feeling of home will quickly go away. You can also have a fixer-upper, and with the right person, it can feel like the best place to be. The fact is you and I can become home everywhere we go.
I have found this to be true of several people that I have been blessed to know. When I get into their atmosphere, I instantly feel at home. These people vary in age and demographics, but one thing they all have in common was their commitment to honor the presence of Jesus in their lives. They lived in a way that allowed the Spirit of Jesus to radiate out of their hearts.
From my nephew that instantly made me feel loved to my friend that always gave the feeling of being accepted, I learned that a person can feel like home. Both of these incredible people are now residing in heaven, but they left with me the example and motivation to do what I can to become home for others.
If the presence of Jesus is the key to becoming home, I must learn what it looks like to live in such a way as to carry His Spirit with me at all times. I need to allow Him to come in and clean out the rooms of my heart that I have dirtied with sin. I must tear down the walls of unforgiveness and lies that I have erected that keep people out. I must remain in Him so that He will remain in me.
When I have Jesus’ presence within me, I will bring home to those who have become spiritually and emotionally homeless. I will be able to bring love, security, nourishment, and healing to those who enter my shadow. I will do what I can to help others find a place like home just by observing the presence of Jesus in me.
This I long for and will pursue. Will you join me on this journey?
ColleenPearl's Place 
Thank you for tying all our longings for home back to Jesus. I love the image of God as Homemaker, and the Place where we go and feel received.
I absolutely love this! You’re describing true Biblical hospitality. It’s not about the house. This is a powerful commission: “bring home to those who have become spiritually and emotionally homeless.” I’ve been the blessed recipient of this kind of lavish hospitality in homes that were far from perfect, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.