We´ve been on furlough (what an ironic word that is for what we are doing) for about two months now. We´ve traveled and talked and traveled and ate and traveled and ate and talked and traveled for more than 4000 miles so far. It´s been a good journey. The talking part is almost over, but we have another long trip ahead of us as we head north and west to see our extended family.
As we travel around though, one thing keeps coming to mind: why here? I mean, what is it about this certain place (wherever it is on the road) into home. One of our friends grew up in west Texas. I´ve never been there, but I think I can imagine it (I grew up in eastern Montana, after all). He often says they wonder just what it was a hundred or so years ago when the first wagon trains rolled across the great plains that made them stop to think, “Oh yeah. This looks like a good place to stop!” I wonder that sometimes when there is nothing around, too.
Then there´s the places that where maybe good places to be at first, but time has changed things. We were in a community that is the hometown of a new national star. We often drive by the high school she went to. Cresting the hill we look down onto a long strip of strip after strip of strip malls. It´s not pretty. It´s not nice to look at. Just what is it then that makes her look at this and say, “Yes! I´m home!”
There are places we drive through and I think it would be great to stop and get to know the place. Other places induce me to press the accelerator so it falls even more quickly into the rear view mirror.
Maybe it´s just because we´ve been traveling for so much lately. Maybe I´m just tired. Maybe I´m missing home.
Why here? Honestly, I don´t know. I´m just curious.
Be blessed wherever you are…
