What Home Looks Like
For the last year and a half my husband and I have lived in a camper behind my mom’s house. That 39-foot camper is our home, and it has provided us shelter on cold nights, a cool place to rest on hot days, and our camper even survived the recent hurricane. While we never intended to live in the camper for this long, it has served its purpose for this time in our lives. However, home is much more than a roof over our heads.
When Tom and I moved here from Northern Virginia in 2000, we sold the first home we ever bought. That split level ranch on Azalea Lane will always hold a very special place in our hearts, but home is much more than a split-level ranch on a corner lot. Over the years, Tom and I have moved eight times. Each one of those homes served the purpose of providing us with shelter and having a place to send our mail. However, home is much more than an address.
During each of these moves I have looked at Tom and said, where you are is where my home is. I know that sounds sappy, but it is one hundred percent true. For me, home goes beyond shelter, and, for me, cannot be defined by size or address. Home is the place where I feel safe, appreciated, and deeply cared for.
Home goes beyond shelter because it is defined by those who we experience life with. Yes, we provide shelter for children at Collins Home Family Ministries. However, what we do goes far beyond providing a physical refuge from cold nights, hot days, and stormy weather. We provide shelter amid life's hardships and storms; compassionate care that is necessary to heal hearts and build trust; and structure that allows children to discover their value in Christ.
Recently one of our house parents sent this picture to me. The moment I saw it God spoke into my heart “this is what home looks like.” We will never replace the biological roots of those we serve but we can provide warmth for their hearts, safety for their minds and hope for the future.
The Bible describes God as our shelter where we are protected from danger (Psalm 91), a shelter and strength where we should not be afraid (Psalm 46), and a tent where we can dwell forever (Psalm 61). My hope and prayer for you and those we serve at Collins Home Family Ministries is that God would be your protection, strength and a place where we can dwell in peace forever.
For more information on supporting our efforts to provide shelter for children, strength for families and stability to our community reach out to us at 864.882.0893 or visit collinschildrenshome.org
-Kelly Ross