Photo by Brandon Morgan on Unsplash

Place. I think of it as where we feel at home. That space where we can take our shoes off…and any other piece of clothes that constrain us, and grab a cozy drink and be ourselves. This is where we can feel loved for who we are. It is rarely just a location. It is often a group of people as well.

But a large part of place is the home where we live. We had one home for almost 25 years in Texas. It was the longest we lived in one place in our marriage (from 1988-2013). We rented it out for four years while we were living near Peoria, IL. Otherwise, it was our place.

When we moved to AL to be near one of our daughters, we rented. For most of this time, we lived in an apartment. No matter what I have done, it hasn’t really felt like home. There are a number of reasons for that. I try to declutter.  stop I have done a variety of things to help. But nothing helps. It just doesn’t feel like home.

This year, we were given the chance to choose a house by a family member. It was a wonderful serendipity. It has been a delightful surprise. We found just the right place and will be moving in the next few weeks, if all goes according to plan.

I have felt like I am getting my place again. Yes, I was able to take off my shoes in our apartment. But where we are moving, I will have space to store some of the stuff I had no place to put away…like our suitcases!

We will have some pretty spaces. I will have color choices I like and conveniences I love. We will be able to sit on our deck and drink a hot drink in the morning or evening.

Yes, I know it is only temporary. Heaven is our eternal place. When all is said and done, that is where we will be moving. That is where we will go…and we won’t have to pack! There will be no maintenance there.

But for now, we will enjoy this gracious gift from GOD! It is a temporary gift of place here on earth where we will enjoy our last years together with each other and with our family and friends.

Thanks be to GOD!

 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out
to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.
And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land,
living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations,
whose designer and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV