I lived 18 years in Duncan, OK. Then 3 months in Pearland, TX. 4 years of college in Abilene, TX. 1 year in Allen, TX. A few months in Bakersfield, CA. Then six years around the Raleigh, NC area. Now I live in south/central Penn. When someone asks, "Where are you from?" this easy question is actually difficult for me to answer.When does where you live become where you're from?
When you're in school, where you're from is not a question about where you live. You are expected to be from somewhere other than where you live. My college and seminary directories both listed my name, phone number, address, and home town. This assumed my address did not tell my home town.
But while in seminary I married a local boy (from Raleigh) and had two kids. I still struggled to say that I was from there, even though my little family was from there and we lived there.
Now that we live in Pennsylvania, it's even harder for me to say where I'm from. Do you want to know where I grew up (this question is usually to figure out my accent), where I moved from, or where I live now? You can see how this question can lead to a five minute explanation.
When visited my parents we went out to eat and the hostess asked, "Where are you from?" My first answer is usually, "Texas," but since I was in Texas that wouldn't work. So I said, "We live in Pennsylvania." I immediately felt guilty. My husband and I love our church. We love the area where we live. We hope to be here for years! So when will I be able to say that I'm from Pennsylvania?
Those of us who are taken to places other than our "homes" for ministry (or other reasons) sometimes have a hard time feeling permanent there. But I am where God has placed me. Acts 17: 26 says, "...[God] has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings..." So it is not my husband, our church, or a job that has placed me where I live but God. To not put down roots where He has placed me is to doubt His love, wisdom, and plan for my life.
Home is not only where the heart is, but home is in the center of God's will. And there's no other place I'd rather be.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with taht problem - I have three homes - Ireland, Malawi & South Africa. The hardest part is when your parents hear you talk about home and realise you don't mean where they are. For me home is always where I have church family.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think where you're 'from' and where you 'are' - are 2 different things. Maybe it's supposed to be that way. You've made a big cultural stretch and it sounds like you bring some Southern charm to Penn.
ReplyDeleteCute post and so true.
LOVE this post. I was born in Arkansas. Lived in Oklahoma. LIved in Arizona. Got married in Arkansas. Moved to New Jersey. Lived in Pennsylvania (Bethlehem Township) Moved to Illinois. Live in Wisconsin and am leaving Thursday to move to Montreal.
ReplyDeleteI get it.
Enjoy your adventure!
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