Not At Home

I am currently in the dining hall at college.  This is nothing new to me.  With eight years at Mizzou now, I have spent plenty of time in the dining halls--as both staff and student.  Today, however, I am in someone else's dining hall.  I am in a small liberal arts college in the midwest.  Funny, that's how ever research article I've read this year starts.  But, it's true.  This college has one dining hall compared to the multiples at my home.  It's gorgeous.  And quiet.  No bumpin music.  The lights are low.  It looks eerily similar to Hogwarts.  And I don't feel the least bit at home because it's not mine.  I should mention I am here for the hubs tonight.  His company is doing some competition and I am just here for the company.

As I start my second semester in my masters, I get asked a lot about what I want to do when I graduate.  Do I want to move?  What kinds of areas interest me?  Leadership?  Greek life?  Admissions?  Do I want to be at a small school or a large one?  I have to admit that I have absolutely no idea how to answer any of these questions but I'm working on it.  I will be doing an internship this summer at a different small, liberal arts college in the midwest.  I will get to see a variety of areas and hopefully get a better idea of what I want when I leave.

There are two parts to me in this regard. One part of me wants to strike out a new adventure.  Go far away. Try a different kind of school.  Expand my knowledge.  But that's not home.  The other part of me wants to march right back to the desk I left six months ago, put my name plaque back where it belongs, and go on as if two years didn't even pass.  That's home.

Sometimes, God calls us to stay home.  To be comfortable.  To expand ourselves right where we are and work in the mission he's already given us.  And sometimes, he calls us to strike out into the wilderness with only HIM as our guide.  I don't know what his plans are as of yet but I am looking forward to finding out.  Comfortable sounds pretty great but not necessarily exciting.  Explorations has plenty of excitement but no guarantees.  Show me your ways, guide me in your paths, O Lord.

I start a Bible study next week called Soul Satisfaction.  I can't wait.  I'll tell you more as soon as I know more. Until then, I'm  off to observe college kids.

Here's to home.