Home

I’m a stranger in my own home. And I never left.

Thus is life in a college town. Every fall, the newcomers and returners descend and the world feels so right, so alive, so strange.

A simple walk across campus this week left a huge, genuine smile on my face. This is the home I know. This is the world I love. This is why I do freelance work in higher education.

College students give me energy.

College students drain me.

We had a huge event on campus. Potentially the largest event in our history. (I just made that up). For eleven hours, I put finishing touches on the decor, I awkward mingled with millionaire strangers, and I made sure the volunteers had water breaks and got to eat.

The event went very smoothly. I met some new friends, connected with old strangers.

At the end of the day, I wanted nothing more than to go home and collapse on my couch. Never mind that I don’t have a couch. (I moved last weekend and the couch hasn’t arrived yet).

I wanted to go home, enjoy an adult beverage, read a book, take a nap, do something and do it alone without smiling, directing anyone to the restroom, and asking people if they need anything.

Unfortunately for me, the event was scheduled to end with the first student worship service of the semester. Mind you, I was not required to go. In no way could I work that into my job description or invoice. I was off the clock.

And I refused to go home.

I’ve been looking forward to worshiping with the students again ever since they left last May.

Just hearing the band warm up reminded me that this is why I’m here. This is home.

This is my favorite way to worship the Lord. This is my favorite crowd–though I know very few of them. This is when I feel most alive, most free, and most comfortable.

I’m at a point in my life where the four letters of “Home” can mean any number of addresses. To me, “Home” has become more than a place. It’s the feeling of being most alive, most free, and most comfortable.

Home is the feeling of a familiar CD.

Home is a comfortable couch.

Home is being surrounded by people you love.

Home is worshiping with a few hundred strangers in a brand new building with a new band and the same great preacher, the same GREAT God.

My home is filled with strangers, family yet to be discovered.

<>< Katie

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