what home means now: new definitions to consider during the outbreak of covid-19
The world is shaking. And we feel it. New patterns of living and moving, thinking and speaking. As the COVID-19 global pandemic shuts businesses and schools, recreation areas and churches, we are left with the question: to what will we turn for community, for comfort, for truth? In what new ways will we spend our time? How will we confront our idols? How will we cope?
While much of us shelter in place, not all of us are able to stay home. Physicians and teachers, delivery drivers and food service workers and so many more people are not staying home. Working or not, in your home or someplace else, each of is feeling vulnerable. A bit out of sorts. Discombobulated. Not quite the way they did before.
The world has always been dangerous. Never safe. Never peace-filled. But this reality, for the world as a whole, feels impossible to ignore now.
So, in this new landscape, we have a question to answer. And that answer is unique to each of us: What now, is your truth? To what and to whom do you turn? What do you call home?
While many of us are having to stay, physically, at home, and then some of us cannot, how is your heart? How is your mind? To what is your mind turning? To whom does your heart run?
Will you spend a few moments today–this week–considering where you are looking to find hope, meaning, comfort, strength? And as you look for these things, what does that look like? In the morning, in the evening, in the moments of being in this space, alone or with other people you live? How are you carrying on? Who are you, at home?
For the Loop Poetry Project this week, consider the word “home.” What does it mean for you? Yes, it is a physical space, and helpful to ponder as you write–describing the physical space where you are, with details of sense (what you see, smell, touch, hear, taste) around you. But you might want to consider other elements of home–what home means to your heart–what your heart is crying out for now, and the ideas or memories that fill your mind when you think of home. Let your imagination run.
Home can be more than what exists within walls. How would your heart describe “home”, versus your mind versus your imagination?
I can’t wait to read what you share. Your ideas–your words–offer us another way to think and feel and see. And we are hungry for that now. But don’t worry about that, at first. Most importantly, and always as a beginning, write what is true to you. So, write about “home.”
And if you feel like sharing your ideas, your notes, or even your poem, please do here, or on social media, using the hashtag #looppoetryproject. And, as always, consider joining the wonderful women over at the private Facebook group. We would love to join with you, encouraging you as you trust your heart.
bless you, dear ones,
jennifer
Is Home a Memory
I have awakened from a dream and again,
the idea of home is pressed upon me,
memories, really
of sisters sleeping,
three wooden beds side by side,
a static scene so different from what
you show me in the wild rustling of dry grasses
as we run, our young feet never tiring
and I think this is home,
the merriment that comes from safety
and freedom, and I am recognizing
home is not an age.
And you pull me out of the scene into
another one, the four of us in some heavenly place
where you chased me to the ends of the earth
my heart beating hard and long,
through mazes of shadow
(I felt I had to prove: I could belong to you)
and now here we are,
me in my middle-age and yet ageless
and the three of you
impossibly one
to make the impossible my home, saying yes
again and again to what the three of you
have together.
-jennifer j. camp
17 Comments
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today I can’t stop crying actually – heart heavy. I have strong days and others where I can’t believe this is happening – not to me – but in general – to the world and humanity – it’s odd to think we’ve been sorta stripped of the luxury of going outside and I didn’t realize how much I somewhat leaned on going outside to kinda keep me sane – Spring is one of my favorite seasons and it’s a little sad to not be able to walk for longer than minutes at a time or to even enjoy being out with family and friends enjoying the weather. It’s all just odd to me. I’m thankful and grateful for Gods love through this though. He’s a good father. Of that my heart is sure. I’d never deny His goodness. Because I’ve seen it in my life. It’s all been an adjustment. It’s silly. Today I found myself crying because I’ve been cooking everyday for the past two weeks. And I wanted take out pizza so bad and I couldn’t help but wonder if that’s even a good idea and that stressed me… again silly little luxuries that are now I don’t know something to worry about now… I’m sorry for venting xo God bless you and your home and family!
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Dear Jenny, I am so sorry. Yes, this landscape is a difficult one to navigate. And having to adjust to a new way of living each day is stretching us, for sure. I am praying now for sunlight/fresh air on your face–and, especially, that you feel His love and hope filling your home.
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I’m trying so hard to replace fear with faith. I read psalm 91 and 121 out loud when I need to. God is good and He loves and cares for me, I’m sure of this. However the pain of separation from loved ones, social life, singing lessons, just normal things are unexpectedly huge. I cry a lot.
Talking on the phone, video chats are much needed and appreciated. You find out who you friends really are in such times.
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Oh, Stacy, yes, I hear you. Community around us is so powerful. And we are feeling the pain of that loss–sharing a room together, face to face. Praying with you. He will sustain us. He will cover us with His love. He will give us His strength and light and hope. All we need. Much love to you. And bless you.
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I find I am mom at home pretty much non-stop now that teen and hubby are home. “What can I have for a snack? When’s dinner? Where’s my . . .? Come see this. Let’s go for a walk.” I am wanting some space to be just me. To not be mom for awhile.
We have moved many times in our married life and for me I feel home when we get settled into a new home and find a church and the grocery store and know where to find most things. As long as we are all together, we have a home.
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Hi Theresa, yes, I understand what you mean, having three teenagers in my house now. Praying for God’s care and provision for your heart–that you feel Him caring for you, wooing you to Him, and that the wisdom and energy needed to love the people in your home is a burden you feel Him carrying now. You are His daughter, His beloved. Father, may we lean into You now.
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Yes it’s a very different time for all and very distressing and distracting. Especially as there seems to be little we can do for each other. Especially in the ways we are accustomed to. It is definitely a time for creative thinking and a time for pushing fear away.
I read recently that the opposite of fear is not faith but LOVE. Faith matters much.
1 John 4:18 tells us this: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
I’m trying to gain more understanding about just what this means and what it might look like.
Home. I’ve always longed for home. I’ve never felt I have had a home. So for me home is time with the Lord. Uninterrupted and unlimited time in prayer and in the Word. Listening and waiting. This is what I long for. This is my favourite place. That is Home to me.
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Dianne, your words nourish me now. Thank you–thank you for inviting me deeper into His love, through the power of truth. Yes, this is a time of distraction, and a time for creative thinking– yes. I love that. Bless you as you let Him speak into your heart, nurturing you and sustaining you.
We say yes to your love, Jesus. All of You. We ask for more of You, now, Lord.
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I tirelessly sought for a Home in all the wrong places. Home for me wasn’t a house with my family. It was a feeling of belonging. And that was a feeling I knew not of. I went to the ends of the earth looking for love. Any type of love, even sinful love without real meaning. I tirelessly sought for Love in all the wrong places. Love wasn’t affection and Truth. Love was attention and forced. Then I found you Lord. True love. I came home to the place I was searching for all my life and didn’t even know it til I found it. Then there was no mistaking that was what I was tirelessly seeking all my life in all the wrong places and all the wrong people. I never looked inside myself and surely when I did, something inside me changed. My heart was made whole and full for the first time in my life. I finally knew what satisfaction felt like. I came home
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Dear Margot, thank you for your prayer–for sharing your heart. So vulnerable. So powerful. So beautiful. I can completely relate to your story of looking for love, for Home, in all the places where He is not…before my heart was broken, and I finally let Him carry me and teach me how, with Holy Spirit in me, who knows true Home, I know how to live there too. Bless you, dear sister. I am so glad you’re here.
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Ohhh Margot… This is simply beaUtifUL… THANK yoU.. 💛 Inge
SOUTH AFRICA
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Thank you Inca ❤️ And Jennifer ❤️ And all you beautiful women who share so openly here as well. I feel safe and a part of
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Thank you so much Jennifer for giving us a place to put our thoughts and feelings into words and just be.
Thank you for your heart felt prayers. 💛
Thank you everyone for bravely sharing.
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Yes! So grateful for this community. Much love to you, Dianne!
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As frustration fades and freedom unfolds, I walk closer with thee
My spirit embraces trust,
and hope stirs my soul
Thoughts of you,
sensing you near,
urges me forward into the unknown,
Fearless
Faithful, forever joy,
Eternal you
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Home
Home is where your heart is.
What does that mean?
If this is true, then my home is in many, many places.
First and foremost, it is with Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
He in me and I in Him. Bound together through the precious blood of the Lamb.
Second, with my family and friends, those I have invested my time with,
And intertwined my heart with.
Maybe that’s it? Home is like a vine, reaching and growing, and stretching.
Strengthening relationships here and there, old branches twisted and withered with age,
But strong as steel as the roots grow deep.
Tender new tendrils now, reaching out in new directions,
Seeking out new places where home may be.
A smile exchanged, a tear wiped away. A gentle prayer, then we walk away.
Down deep in my heart I carry memories. Some are fleeting, but some stay with me,
Digging themselves into the depth of my soul.
I find that home, like love, continues to grow and expand.
Will it continue? Where will it end?
Somehow I believe it will all come together at the end of this life, and the beginning of the next,
As we all gather around the throne, in robes washed white by the blood of the Lamb of God.
Finally, my heart will be complete, and home will be a forever place of joy and peace and love.
Written by,
Priscilla A. Kramer
Daughter of the Most High God
14 April 2020
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Home is Joy.
My resting place,
Now a working space;
Once a home to pause,
Breathe, withdraw,
Is now noisy, loud,
Full of chaotic sound.
Wake up, eat, play,
Work, sleep, end of day,
Repeat. When will this end?
I close my eyes and transcend
Into the depths of my heart,
To discover where home starts.
Home is within me;
In the chaos I see
New space to be still;
Reflect, ponder; Oh the thrill!
Now this feeling of joy, I’m sure,
Is the home I always adore.
My new home,
(In writing this poem),
Is more than the walls,
Or the house; above all,
It’s the joy you have within;
When you have joy, you win.