Has it ever occurred to you that it is possible to have two earthly homes? One is the house where you live. Where your nuclear family lives. And the second is the one that forms when you are surrounded by your people. Your friends that make up a second family, tied not with blood but with connection at the heart level. A family that can be just as strongly bonded together as your family. So that when you’re with these people, no matter where, you are home?
It is a beautiful thing, to have these two homes. It means that you have not only a structure where you are safe with your family, but also a community of friends, your hearts laced together by some common bond.
But what happens when these homes pull against each other?
Last week, I was privileged to gather with dozens of friends I’ve been getting to know online for nearly two years. A community of writers and fellow encouragers who have lifted me up in times of discouragement. A family of lovely people. It is almost impossible to describe the bond I share with these unbelievable, nerdy, uplifting people. But I think the best way to describe it is this: when I am with them, I am home.
There’s just one catch. Our gathering did not last forever. Just two and a half days. Two and a half blissful days. And my home in South Carolina reclaimed me, dragging me away from the family that was tightening in love and growing in friendship.
My friends and I talked a lot during our time together. About community. About hope. About heaven. We had in-depth Bible studies and prayed for each other and cried together. And we were overwhelmed by joy and love for God and one another. It was the strangest thing– although the world never ceased to be broken during those days, I almost forgot that it was. I was never sad. My social battery lasted longer than it ever has with such a large number of people for that length of time. I fell asleep every night within moments and woke up refreshed and ready to see my people and revel in the joy again.
Surrounded by my heart family in my other home, I had a taste of what heaven will be like. No disagreements. No hurt. No sorrow. The Spirit was among us, blessing us and bringing us together in unity and friendship.
The last night, before we said goodbye, we sang. So many beautiful songs, the beautiful voices of beautiful friends. All worshipping. I thought about community, how I wished it would always be this way. How I wished I could sit in a circle in the gathering dusk and sing hymns with gorgeous harmonies every week.
But I remembered a conversation we’d had earlier. I loved this home away from home, surrounded by my dear friends. I didn’t want to leave. And the house, the home where I live was calling me back. They were pulling me in different directions.
Still, I don’t have to be sad because one day, the homes will converge. I will live in the mansion where there are many rooms, and I will be surrounded with people I love as we join in the common joy of worshipping the King.
As I hugged four dozen of my friends, I didn’t say goodbye. Whether in this world or the next, I’ll “see you later.”
Originally, this was the planned end of my post. The best thing about ideas, though, is that when given time, they are likely to grow. I was journaling one night recently and I felt a growth of idea tickling against the corners of my mind until I gave it more attention.
Part of why I started this blog was to remind people that this is not the end of the story. I am waiting and writing for the happy ending; the time when the homes will converge. When all of my earthly homes will collide and be made perfect. Joy and worship added, sin subtracted as God prepares paradise.
Last week, God showed me something. He lifted the veil and allowed me to glimpse a little bit of heaven. And though the joy that my friends and I felt over those few days, the best days of my life, still does not hold a candle to the giant supernova of joy waiting for us in heaven, it was a candle just the same. A taste.
My third home, my heavenly home, touched earth. Like a plop of rain that touches parched ground and nourishes its thirsty plants. Like a fleeting aroma floating past your nose and filling your senses, but disappearing before you can inhale again.
The beautiful days I had last week? That indescribable yearning I experienced when I saw what the next world could be like? I want to feel it again. And again. And again. I want to live a life where the feeling never goes away. The only problem is that in reality, most feelings are not lasting. If we want to re-feel emotions such as yearning, we have to work for it. Be aware. Always let our emotions be open to the feeling. So I began to wonder. What else brings this emotion? What “lifts the veil,” where are the places heaven nourishes earth with gentle raindrops?
I made a list.
I am proud to announce that this summer Ella’s Tea Table will host a series on what, for me and perhaps a few guests, produces this yearning. For the next twelve Tuesdays, starting June 20, I’ll post about something that produces yearning in my heart. Here’s a sneak peak at some topics!
Everking
Ocean’s Moan
Community
Harmony
Stories!
I can’t wait to see how this goes and to explore the cause of yearning together.
Where, for you, does heaven touch earth? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you for writing this! As a TCK the topic of home is one that I’ve thought about a lot (if I move, have I lost my home?) and I appreciate when people talk about how home isn’t always a building. Our family has always said “home is wherever I’m with you”, just as a reminder that no matter where God sends us, we’ll be home.
Aww, that is beautiful! I’m so glad it blessed you.
Ahhhh yes yes yes yes YES. I wish it never had to end, and I wish we could always feel those emotions, and I wish it could always be that EASY. What a sweet taste that was ❤️
I’m so excited for this series!
See you later ❤️ 🥹
Well, that’s why I’m trying out this series! To seek those emotions in the everyday. Miss you! 🥰
Beautiful post. I’m blessed to have experienced this alongside you and so many others. ❤
Looking forward to your summer series!
🤗❣️💗🥲 Thank you!
Wow, Ella Rose! This is such a beautiful post. I read it slowly so that I could savor every word! Wonderful wonderful job!🤩
Thank you so much! 😭🥰