Not that this is a unique experience-just Surreal-but I am sitting here at a random Newark airport bar waiting for my plane to come and whisk me away to some far off destination, when “Bethany”, of all people comes on to the TV and begins to dispense advice. (For all of those who are lucky enough not to know, Bethany is one of the characters on “Housewives of NYC”). How the fuck does that happen? I understand that housewives have great tips to give, but Bethany? Give me a break.
Celebrity as credential?
“Excuse me, but I have a PHD in Celebrity, so bugger off!”
The end of honor! I love it.
But this was not what my sermon was going to be about today, nah; I think I want to talk about Home. I miss it. With all of the trials and tribulations of a home life, I really miss it. You see, I am a total creature of habit. I love coming home to my wife and dogs. I love driving my streets and seeing the landmarks on my travels. The restaurants that have done well, the for-rent spaces of the others that were not so lucky.
I love the way the fog in my city, rolls over the hills like some odd monster from a Saturday night movie.
I also love leaving where I’ve been, to come home. The rides up the to the airports, train stations, bus stations, even the highways that I drive when I go home. I love passing the homes of the famous, the Sopranos, Springsteen, Bon Jovi, my Mother and the whole family. This was never my home, not even when I lived here. Only the place I would come to visit my loved ones-my blood. The place to see those that I miss, that have gone and those I love.
But never, my home.
I know some who read this will be undoubtedly upset, but I think it’s important to understand the difference. Home is where you believe. Home is where you thrive. Home is where you would like to die.
Home is undeniable. I wish you all, the joy of home, no matter the state of the abode, no matter the state of your life, no matter the state of your marriage, children, health, finances, love, and loss. Even with all its hardships and joys.
Home should make you yearn, home should makes you cry. Home should make you sing. Home should make you feel immortal.
Blood lives where they live, but family and home, they are special, they are unique and they are forever.
But the most important thing is home IS, not what WAS. If home WAS, then it’s time to be brave and find a Home that IS. It’s hard, I grant you that but not insurmountable, not unachievable and not beyond thought or reach. Home lies within your power. You just have to let go of what WAS, to move into what IS.
Home.
Selah
The rev
The Reverend LordRifa 