In the movie Happy Gilmore, the main character  Happy is playing some golf with his amazing wind up drive. He reaches the green were his putting skill set are less then par, he is given some advice by his paired partner. " The ball itself has its own life force or energy if you will." "Its natural environment is in the hole." "So why don't you send him home." "His bags are packed, he's got his airplane tickets, bring him to the airport." "Send him home." Happy seems to heed this advice and takes his put. The ball rolls short of the hole and Happy's anger erupts. " Why didn't you just go to your home ball, that's your home!"

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Whether you are returning from a business trip, a long day at work or even a vacation, getting home seems to bring such  peace and contentment. What is it about being home that allows us to feel so comfortable? Maybe being home for you is  not comfortable, but you have discovered that place, the hill overlooking your town, or the creek in the woods, maybe  even Nordstroms for you is somewhere you feel you belong.

Is that not what every one seems to be looking for? A place to be long. A place to connect with others who value the  same  things we do. Our childhood experiences have seemed to set us on a path, a searching for something, “out there,”  that  will complete us. I know in my journey I have gone high and low searching for that belonging, for those  connections that  will give me what I believe I really need. A place to be me, a place where the “me” I present is allowed,  accepted and  even loved. The truth is no such place has been found, "out there,"  it always turns into a performance,  doing, trying to please others.

Word of Jesus: "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.” John 15: 9-10

It seems that Jesus invited us to look somewhere else. Somewhere that would require courage and even a type of aloneness that can be uncomfortable. He says we can make ourselves “home” in His love. Jesus seems to be inviting us to end our search, to give up trying to belong. He says, “Make yourselves at home.” He does not say I will make you at home, no make yourselves at home. This invitation seems to draws up in awareness what I believe to be true about God, about myself and others. If I don’t believe I am lovable, how could I every make myself at home in love.

Perhaps this requires an inward search. A plunge into the darkness of my own soul. Allowing fear, shame, guilt, depression, anger and pride to show themselves. Letting memories and experiences of pain surface, feeling alone, lost and broken. Jesus is inviting me to face these fears, turn into my pain allow Love to make itself at home in me. Let these painful experiences know that they are welcome here, they are acceptable. This home is a safe place to love ourselves no matter what we find within.

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