Home Again
By Christian Pascual
What is home? according to Wikipedia:
A home is a place of residence or refuge. It is usually a place where an individual or a family can rest in and be able tostore personal property.
While a house is often referred to as a “home”, the concept of “home” is a much broader idea which exceeds thedenotation of a physical dwelling. A home is often a place of refuge and safety, where worldly cares fade and thethings and people that one loves becomes the focus. Many people think of home in terms of where they grew up, andhome can even be a time rather than a place.
Being in a strange place among strangers, with their strange food and culture, home may be the last thing one will expect to find. Here in Atlanta my co-workers and I are staying in fully furnished apartments, but the sense of being “home” is absent. This explains why most of us yearn to go back home.
Yes, we’re homesick.
Last month, after putting off the decision to go more than once, I finally decided to attend church. I’ve discovered that there is a church near our place similar to ICS - the Calvary Assembly of God.
I was a bit apprehensive as I navigated my way there. I was not used to driving alone to some unfamiliar place. It was a good 7 miles and had to drive along a major highway. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous. I didn’t know anyone and I was all alone.
But I believed God wanted me to be there. In faith, I believed He would meet me there. I took my first step.
When I finally arrived and about to enter the place of worship, I had fears that I was not supposed to be there, that I didn’t belong there. I was afraid people wouldn’t be as friendly as I was hoping they would be.
As I went in, I was met by a few people who greeted me. I really appreciated their greeters and ushers. They were doing an excellent job in making people like me feel less “strange”.
I realized how vital a simple “hello” is; that this humble ministry may actually make “the difference” for first time church attendees and, perhaps, even to regular attendees as well.
After a short while, the music started. The praise and worship was beautiful. I was in God’s Presence.
I was “home” again.
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