So, Where Are You From?
It shouldn't be that difficult of a question.I was in a store in Alexandria a few weeks ago when a friendly lady working there asked me where I was from. I hope she couldn't tell how confused I felt trying to answer that simple question. Even after my answer, though, I was still unsure if I answered correctly. While I currently live in Woodbridge, I'm not really from here. I'm really from Valparaiso. It's the town I consider home as I lived there for 7 years, from 4th grade to 11th grade, the longest I've lived anywhere. My parents still live in Valparaiso and I love that tiny little town on Tom's Bayou.
My formative years were spent at First Baptist, Valparaiso, at Valp. Elementary, in the gullies playing capture the flag, jumping off the Tom's Bayou bridge, and crawling through drainage pipes. We rode our bikes to Lincoln Park and swam the days away.
First Baptist is where I learned of Jesus and saw His love in Bro Walker and so many others. To this day I remember lessons learned from my teachers, youth leaders, choir director and friends. I lived a whole life during those 7 years and Valp. will always remain my "home".However, I'm not sure I'm technically "from there", either.I was actually born in Salt Lake City, Utah. But, I only lived there for 6 weeks. I graduated from high school in California. But, I attended there only one year. I've actually lived in 27 different places. So... you may have a better understanding now why this question can seem so difficult. (And I'm now realizing that I'm raising children with the same dilemma.) It's an identity crisis, for sure.Perhaps the more important questions is this; does it really matter where we've come from?While I do believe we need to remember where we've come from for the simple reminder of where God has brought us and so we can remind ourselves of His faithfulness, the real question must be asked, "Where are we headed?"It reminds me of a popular song that my college roommate, Colleen, used to play on the guitar. (I can't remember her playing any other songs but this one)" ... This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through, if heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do..."In the craziness of this thing we call life, I pray that my focus will remain on where my eternity lies. And that I would seek to invest my time, energy and resources into people and His presence, two pursuits that will last forever.