Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. // 1 Peter 2:11
For more than a decade, I called a lovely little mountain town in northern Arizona home. Or . . . I tried to.
In those eleven years I moved no less than eight times. With every new place I hoped that this would finally be my last change of address—until of course it was time to move into my forever home with my forever husband. (A single girl can dream, right?)
But it was always something. The rent would skyrocket, or my roommate got married, or my friends had another baby, or (maybe the most heartbreaking) the family decided to turn my beloved basement apartment into an Airbnb instead.
After years of moving but never staying, it began to feel like the city itself was rejecting me. All I wanted was to put down roots, to build a home and a life and someday, please God, a family. Why couldn’t I settle down?
With every cardboard box the discouragement grew heavier—until I met Abraham.
Abraham of Genesis, father in faith, who was called to leave his homeland and follow the One True God. Abraham, who lived in tents and did not even have a place in which to bury his wife because they were strangers in a foreign country. Abraham, who was “looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
Abraham was an alien and sojourner—and so am I. And so, dear sister, are you.
This world is not our home. Though our houses can be wonderful warm resting places, our true home is Heaven, and Heaven is perfect unity with the Most Blessed Trinity.
Aliens and sojourners though we are, we have a home in the Catholic Church where Christ Himself dwells. And until we receive that Beatific Vision, we can see Him with the eyes of faith, humble and hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
So if today you’re wondering where you belong, if you’ve been lonely or discouraged, make your way to the nearest Eucharistic Adoration chapel and there you will find rest for your weary, wandering heart.
There you will find home.
Beth Davis is a lover of Jesus, a retired youth minister, the Director of Formation for Blessed is She. She is passionate about teaching women how to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus in prayer through writing, speaking, and mentorship. Her favorite things include being the favorite aunt to her five niece and nephews, making friends everywhere she goes, and whatever book she’s currently reading.
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