Homecoming.

So this blog post is coming a little late-

but it is worth saying it.

Homecoming.

What a funny word to describe an event at a college- at your college- returning for a weekend, surround by familiar faces and places. Home. Could returning to a place you spent four years at somehow feel like returning home? It seems impossible, and yet, it does. It feels surprisingly like you are returning to a place where at least once upon a time, you were known, loved, and belonged. It feels like a complicated, longing-filled return home. 

Homecoming 2014 was beautiful.

As we sat on a sopping blanket in the middle of a soccer field I was able to just take it all in. One year ago I sat in the same field beside a graceful, and faith-filled follower of Jesus. At that point in my life, Jordan was a dream. Now Jordan is reality. Now I will get on a plane on January 26th and fly across the Atlantic with the same girl who watched fireworks with me that night.

As I watched the fireworks, I was able to hear the witty couple behind me delighting in their own play by play. I overheard the newlyweds whisper their favorites to each other. We sat piled on, our jeans getting wet through, and legs falling on top of my own.

I remembered how fireworks invite me to live bravely in the overflow. I remembered how Jesus is always inviting. 

I had to face this strange discomfort in the midst of all the beauty. I love driving up Lookout being so comfortable on that mountain road. It is so normal that even my car seems to know how to make it up and down effortlessly. I love swing dancing to a live jazz band. I love knowing people and being able to sit at brunch asking each of them questions as cup after cup of coffee is sipped down and refilled. I love St. Elmo porch life. There were so many moments that were rich with life- filled to the rim with joy and remembering. 

Homecoming,

What a strange discomfort you left in the unseen places.

Chattanooga tore open my heart- and all the places that I had sorted out and made goodbyes and home look nice and tidy where spilling everywhere. They were seen spots of deep hunger and deep longing. Spots that are intended to lead us to the incarnation, to the cross, to the promise of eternity spent with our savior, to the promise of the Finisher making everything right, and to realizing that one day I will know my Maker just as I am fully known. 

Communion. 

At the Lord's table is where Jesus invites us to remember him. Remembering often stirs up questions and unmet longing. It is a place where we are invited to stir up our hunger, to notice our thirst, and to trade in our unbelief for belief. Communion, the place where I am constantly invited to fall forward into Jesus, into all the unknown, and to hold firm to the promises. 

The promise that keeping my achey, homesick heart 

stirred up and moving 

is not in vain. 

The promise that there will be a great homecoming.

[and it will blow our socks off.]

Dear Lilac Ladies, 

You are treasure. I am so thankful for you all.

I am so thankful that I got to live life with you for a whole year.

And I am thankful for the beautiful, rare moments when I get to continue living life with you.

You are some of the greatest gifts the Lord has ever given me.

You are family now.

And family lasts forever.

I pray that we all walk alert to the truth that all are days are lived "With Jesus".