by Kindahl Jackson
It is that time of year again for Christmas lights, pumpkin pies, and bringing out all of your winter coats. I love the holiday season! Every college student I know seems to have a calendar countdown to the day they’ll head home and relax for winter break.
As I’ve been looking forward to the approaching break, I’ve been thinking about what home really is. A lot of college students search for a home away from home. I know I did.
Mary Baker Eddy says in Science and Health, “Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God.” So our home is not a physical place we need to long for, our true home is with our Father-Mother God. As God’s children we are watched over each step of the way. It’s impossible to feel far from home when we are aware that we’re completely embraced in God’s Love.
This all hit home because things had been a little rough with one of my roommates and the plan was for me to move out with another friend at the end of the semester. Arrangements had been made for another girl to take over my room at semester’s end and I had found another place to stay as well. But then one of the friends I had been living with accused me of wrecking her “home.” That’s when I thought of that quote, “Pilgrim on earth, home and heaven are within thee.” I knew that bitterness and discord could never enter into the true idea of home which is a fixed spiritual idea. Another statement Mary Baker Eddy made is that, “Home is the dearest spot on earth,…” I saw that nothing but God’s loving embrace could enter in my real home and the real home of my friend. This left me with a great sense of peace and comfort.
Everything’s going smoothly and I am again on good terms with my friend. She seems to be embracing the idea of having a new roommate. And my new situation is just right for me. It has been a complete turn around for both of us. I know it made me realize that home is not a location, but an ever-present spiritual idea.
Share This
Good for you for praying about this. Ignoring roommate issues is never a good idea.
Thank you for sharing how you took a stand for peace with your friend. By seeing the truth about home, you are in heaven, and those around you get to glimpse this heaven also.
I’ve lived with good roommates and bad. Wish I’d prayed lik eyou did. Thanks for showing me a way out.