going home

We spent the week at home in Kansas City. I laid in bed one night thinking about how I’ve lived in that house since I was one year old, and all those walls have seen. Ben asked today if he’d ever lived in another house. I told him no, and I hope we never move.

A friend of mine got me listening to Sean McConnell, and his song “If These Walls Could Speak.” In the song he talks of going home. I thought about his words, “If these walls could speak, they would scream out love, they would cry themselves to sleep; They would pray to Jesus, they would sing rock and roll, they would laugh with each other, they would live soul to soul.” Any time I go home I’m more aware of how quickly things change ... my home saw all the years, and saves the memories ... roller skating rinks in the basement, my sister being stung by bees in the backyard, a house full of uncles, aunts and cousins, water fights, flashlight tag with the neighbors, my commitment to full-time ministry ... the death of my Father. I remember the night my Dad died, my Aunt pulled me aside and said, “Your room isn’t where your Dad died, it’s where Jesus came to take him home.” Those walls have seen it all.

There’s nothing like going home. How much more will we understand home when we leave this place. I remember talking with a friend about how it will feel when we pass from this life to the next--weird. He said he thought it would feel so right. That’s what I meant by weird. We have no idea what “home” feels like ... no idea what “right” feels like.

I know we’re stacking away the memories with our kids. I’m sure many are getting lost in the mess, but there will be plenty ... good and bad. I’m thankful that we have these memories and this home, and I’m thankful that I can still go home.

Comments

[Craig McClellan]

I just wanted to say that I am a huge Sean McConnell fan. That's his first main album. If you don't have the newer stuff, you're missing out.

I know that didn't have much to do with your post, but I'm a big enough Sean fan that I had to comment.

~Craig

[Matt Armstrong]

I can't tell you how much this blog blessed me. I feel this way every time I go home and see my parents. It's a crazy thing how memories work. Especially in regards to a place that has made so many. Thanks for sharing that.

Matt

[Sandra]

I love your aunts perspective!!