Homeless Yet at Home: What Makes a House a Home?

Several weeks ago we noticed a bird had made a nest on the wreath of our front door. Then, we noticed three, then four, then five eggs laid in the nest. As a family we discussed what to do about the nest. We didn’t want to disrupt the birds but also desired to use our front door. We opted to just use the garage for a few weeks. = )

To my son, the bird was foolish by building her nest on our front door. But as it began to rain this week, and the babies began to hatch, I began to ponder the age-old question: what makes a house a home?

I suppose I’ll ask you, in your opinion, what makes a house a home?

I decided to seek some outside opinions, and found this short 2-minute video that helped me with the thought. You’ll enjoy it.

During some reflection this Mother’s Day week I’ve realized that I’ve been fortunate enough to witness two wonderful mothers consistently make houses homes in my life. My wife and mother are both amazing decorators and have a knack for making their spaces unique, warm, and filled with personality and charm.  Over the years my wife and I have lived in seven houses together, and irrespective of size or layout she has always made them feel especially like home. When growing up, my family and I lived in apartments, townhomes, and homes. What’s remarkable to me is that even when we were unhoused in high school, with my mom I always felt like I was at home.

Perhaps like the video described, home isn’t as much found in things like lots of square footage or expensive furniture as it is in things like ‘peace, love and joy.’  Peace, love, and joy are obviously attributes that physical things cannot provide. For example if you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve been in some really nice houses that just didn’t feel like home. Or perhaps you’ve met people with the biggest houses but unfortunately, they lack personal peace, love, and joy in their lives. It’s evident that things don’t make houses homes – people do.

Jesus affirms this thought in John 14:23 where He says, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” Notice Jesus is saying that the proximity of His personal presence is connected to the thought of home. And because it’s ultimately who you are with that truly makes a house a home, wherever you are, and in whatever condition you are in, with Him you can always find yourself at home.

So take home wherever you go! Whether at work, the grocery store, school, the hospital room, or your house; you can carry peace, love, and joy with you because you can carry the Person of Christ with you. After thinking about it, I’m certain the Robin knew that building her nest on our front door was ultimately going to be good for her babies. She knew that her house was a home because she was there. So don’t worry if you don’t have the biggest or best house in the world. Your house is a home because you are there!

Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear how this thought is relevant for you today; or at some point how this thought after being put into action has helped you navigate your journey with others and with Jesus!