Sometime this summer we will sell my parents' house. They have lived there since 1968. My dad was in the Air Force, so we moved a fair amount before they settled into this house. None of us expected they would live there for 40+ years, but they did. Since I left their house I have been a vagabond, but always had that house to anchor me. "Where are you from?" was always a tough question to answer, but I could confidently say, "My parents live outside of Dayton, Ohio" and that would normally satisfy the questioner. Now, there will be no anchor, no sense of place that is mine. I feel more deeply for the problem my children have with this issue.
Scholars say it is possible that Jesus had a house in Capernaum for at least part of his ministry, but for the most part he was itinerant. I think that may be a part of why he spent time alone and away from the rest of the people now and then: he needed a grounding. He had no grounding of place, which meant his grounding in God became more important. Somehow it gives me comfort to know that even in this, Jesus has walked this lonesome valley before me.
Loving God, we thank you that whatever trial or tribulation we must face has already been faced by you. We thank you that you go before us to lower the mountains, raise the valleys, and make the paths straight. We thank you that you go with us so that we do not have to cope with struggle on our own. And we thank you that you bring us to the other side and help us find not only our rest in you, but our joy of living once again..................