This week was Homecoming at Doniphan/Trumball and Giltner High Schools. This next Saturday is the annual Fall Festival at Doniphan. Homecoming/Fall Festival week is when a lot of former Doniphanites return to their roots to see old friends at high school class reunions and family reunions, or, to just have lunch with the entire town on Saturday of Fall Festival.
There are just a few homecoming times each year. After this, we’ll have Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then Easter. As one who has been away and come back, there is something to be said for checking in with your family/community of origin every once in a while.
For years, when I lived elsewhere, we’d watch our kids in the Harvest of Harmony parade in Grand Island, then I’d bring Mom and Dad out to Doniphan for Lunch. They’d work the room, thoroughly enjoying seeing friends from their 13 years here in ministry. I’d stand next to my friend Mark Haskins and chat with him while he worked his shift at taking the trash out. It was rare that harvest kept Mark from his annual contribution to the Fall Festival. Little did I know that someday, I would be your pastor and be judging the Fall Festival parade along with the other pastors in town.
Homecoming implies giving thanks for where you came from and who you are as a result. Coming home settles the traveling dust of your soul. Our religious heritage is full of homecoming stories; coming home to who God made you to be. Centering Prayer teaches the concept of finding your “True Self,” that deep inner-soul place where your spirit and God’s spirit co-exist.
I like to think that our True Self is one that has found its way back to God and who God meant you to be. So worship every Sunday can be a homecoming of sorts; coming home to God.
Grace & Peace,
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