Being homesick when you’re an adult is definitely a thing. For the past 5 years, every single time I’ve traveled whether locally or across the globe I’ve been hit with the homesick blues. I’m talking about the tear-stained face and heavy heart kind of homesick. Allow me to explain and give some context.
I live a very full life that I truly love, but it hasn’t always been this way. Currently, my husband Isaac and I are approaching our fourth anniversary. We are both in full time ministry at a church in Houston, TX we thoroughly enjoy serving and leading in. Our friends are some of the most genuine, steady, and down-to-earth people on the planet. Yearly, we take at least two week-long vacations, each with a specific focus- one trip is for vision casting and recharging, the other for good ole’ play. These trips have played a significant role in my perspective shift on life. Disney World is our absolute favorite place on earth, and we’ve gone three times in four years and are currently planning our next trip. You might be wondering, how anyone could be homesick in the most magical place on earth? It happens, folks.
“Handling the adjustments to this new chapter was unbearable, and I became bitter, depressed, and I didn’t love my life.”
Months into our marriage we were navigating the newness that it brings (understatement of the century) and being in a new city and a new church, away from family, friends, and all things familiar. Handling the adjustments to this new chapter was surprisingly unbearable. I became bitter, depressed, and I didn’t love my life. The crazy thing was, I had a strong relationship with Jesus, I was now a pastor’s wife, but I had sadly succumbed to the sinister lie that this wasn’t the life I signed up for- God gave me the wrong life! I was desperate for a break, a change, a reset… anything. Ever been there? Isaac and I decided a few days being kids again was exactly what was needed. Disney here we come!
Upon checking into our resort that was walking distance from Epcot and Universal Studios and situated on a beautiful lake (I could go on and on about the magic) something very unexpected happened. Thirty minutes into our magical vacation I was hit with what felt like a bag of sadness bricks, being away from my great life. WHAT?! I was finding myself homesick. Tears were streaming steadily. After months of praying and seeking God for breakthrough and answers, my breakthrough came in a way I didn’t see coming. The very life I wanted nothing to do with I suddenly loved and missed whole heartedly. Gratitude filled my heart for the life God had given me; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Suddenly I saw the people around me as sources of life, hope, joy, and peace. Isaac was baffled and couldn’t believe his wife was saying positive words about the life she was eager to escape just hours before. Suddenly, an epiphany: I had a great life.
“Gratitude filled my heart for the life God had given me; the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Perspective and I were face to face. It wasn’t until I had what one would call a “hindsight” moment that I realized God was not only completely involved in the entirety of that season but also doing a work within me. Stepping out of my current reality to catch my breath brought the perspective on life I had been praying for. When I was in the trenches of that difficult season I couldn’t see what was going on or figure out what to do. Am I saying you have to go to Disney World to hear from God? Of course not. Although, walking down Main Street in Magic Kingdom is even more special to me now. I am saying taking intentional time to hear from God in a way that’s out of the ordinary is sometimes what’s needed for a renewed perspective.
Homesick blues has a new name in my world. I call it perspective. Perspective has pleasantly surprised me during multiple trips since that day in 2016, each time being restorative to how I see my God-given, beautiful, full life.
Before you go, if you are in a place like I was or even in a really good place, I encourage you to give God time and attention this week in a new way. If all you hear is crickets when trying to think of something new, here are a few suggestions to help you take your next step or inspire you. Find a water feature to sit by (pond, fountain, lake, or the plug in fountain in your backyard) on the way to or from work, find a local walking trail, a weekend getaway, or a nearby coffeeshop you’ve been wanting to try. The whole point is to get outside your normal routine and do something different to achieve a different result. Breakthrough is coming, friend.
Love & Prayers,
Haley
