Home Is Where the Heart Is
For many, this time of year is a fresh start sparked by the burst of nature’s beauty.
Inspired by the new season abloom in our garden and our surroundings, my husband and I decided to take a road trip to explore more of God’s creativity and masterpieces. We mapped out a journey to Sonoma County, California.
As we drove into the region, I felt as though I had walked into a French impressionist painting by Monet. Flowing fields of gold, green grass with orange and red poppies danced with the purple and yellow wildflowers while the sunlight washed over the majestic backdrop of soft blue-green hillsides.
The hours-long drive was mostly quiet, punctuated by soft conversations as scenic discoveries appeared. I found myself drifting in thought with thankful praises to God for all the beautiful things he creates for us to enjoy every moment, of every hour, of every day. As I am often reminded, the more we are willing to adjust the vision to our hearts, the more we will embrace the beauty of God’s love and creativity that surround us.
May God’s glorious splendor endure forever! May the Lord take joy and pleasure in all that he has made. Psalms 104:31 (TPT)
During our stay in Sonoma, we had wonderful opportunities to meet with farm owners. We spent several hours with them, taking in the endless views of the beautiful pastures of seasonal crops sheltered by the redwoods and oak trees and listening to their family stories, deeply-rooted to the rich history of their land. Each family, we learned, had their own approach to how they farmed their land.
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:8 (NIV)
Yet, a common theme was woven through their family stories: how treasured a gift from God is their land. Passed down through generations, their home belongs to dedicated hearts now and into the future.
May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! Deuteronomy 1:11
Many of our meals were made with fresh produce, poultry, dairy and beef from the local farms. And, many of the restaurants shared local foods in their dining experiences so that one would feel more at home.
We met Mateo who shared with us how he left his home in Yucatan, Mexico at a very young age to come to America. He landed in San Francisco and, since he did not know the English language at the time, his first job was a dishwasher at a restaurant. A few years later, he was taken under the wing of Michel, a chef who mentored and trained him in the classical French tradition. Over the years he worked with great chefs and his talents were showcased in top food and wine publications. At his restaurant today, he creates a cuisine that is a delicious mix of cultures—a unique signature that celebrates rigorously sourced local and sustainable ingredients infused with a combination of the vibrant regional flavors of his homeland and the classical French finesse of his training.
Mateo introduced us to his “home” of new flavors, thanks to his unique artistry and creative heart. He shared stories about his life’s path and how God has always been in his creative heart guiding him on his journey through the valleys and mountains of life. Mateo made us feel so at home with his beautiful heart. We spent several hours with him embracing all the new flavors of his food, on the dining room patio surrounded by bright flowers and gardens that he planted personally. His closing gift to us was his reminder to always believe in God’s love. As he quietly took a deep breathe and leaned forward, he said, “you see, in life, we all have ups and downs, but when you believe in God, He will always show you the way. He has for me my whole life. I have been able to follow my creative heart and live a life beyond my imagination and have been very blessed with a wonderful family.”
The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wrap-around presence will strengthen us. Psalms 33:20 (TPT)
When we returned home, I began to read through my notes and reviewed photos and some of my sketches from our journey. I sat down in my favorite chair with a fresh cup of mint tea created and blended by Holly, the owner of the Russian River Tea Shop (also discovered on our trip). This blend, created with herbs, mints and rose petals from the local farms was Holly’s favorite. She calls it “inspiration”. The mint floral notes and fragrance are so delightful that it truly does inspire the soul. As I sipped my tea and continued to read through my notes, I thought about the family stories and their treasured family farms. “Where is home?” I wondered. “What makes us feel at home?” I know we have all had the experience of visiting somewhere only to feel as though we are home. When we take a walk, sit on the beach, or visit friends, we can also have a sense of “feeling at home”. Our Heavenly Father’s desire is to for us to be at home, filled with his enduring love and kindness so that we feel His peace in our hearts at all times.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 (NIV)
Some of my family members and friends have moved to new homes, often leaving homes where they have lived for many years to begin a new chapter in their lives. As I weaved their stories with the stories from Sonoma, I found myself quietly saying, “home is where the heart is.” Many of us have heard this over the years, and this phrase is often tucked away in our memories.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
I do believe it is true: If we allow our Heavenly Father to be the cornerstone of our hearts and we set out to build a beautiful home of love wherever we may be, home is where the heart is. God’s desire is for us to be filled with his loving blessings and beauty—this is His home for us through all seasons of life.
What a wonderful time for us to invite our Heavenly Father into our hearts to create His home for us wherever we may be. To find a home filled with His love, beauty and blessings is to live a life of endless joy.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, Jeremiah 29 13-14 (NIV)
