What comes to our mind when we think of the word: Home?
The Year of the Golden Rooster has just been celebrated by Chinese worldwide less than 1 month ago.
Nearer to home, I am sure most of us have observed the ancient tradition of coming together on the eve of Lunar New Year to have a Reunion Dinner (团元饭) with our elders and close relatives, regardless of geographical distance or differences that occurred the past year.
This meal is significant to the Chinese as it marks a time of rekindling relationships, seeking forgiveness with one another, and showing forbearance to one another. It is also a time where everyone set aside their differences and come together as one to celebrate the New Season (新春) that is dawning.
Diverse Family Backgrounds
Undoubtedly, all of us are born into different family backgrounds. Some families enjoy what we call the picture-perfect “合家欢”, where every member is celebrated and unity reigns in the home; while others may not be as fortunate.
So what does the word Home mean to you?
Roots and Wings
While browsing the Internet one day, I chanced upon this quotation that I found is possibly a good image for Homes:;
GIVE THE ONES YOU LOVE WINGS TO FLY
ROOTS TO COME BACK, AND REASONS TO STAY.
避风港 (Safe Harbour)
In a recent song (祢是我家 (You Are My Home)) composed by New Creation Church, it speaks of a place called Home; Home is a place that we RETURN to – a SAFE Harbour, a Happy Haven, despite where we are and where we’ve been.
This song strikes a chord in my heart, as i think upon my own family and even my group of close good friends whom I can safely call Home.They have shown me that:
- HOME is where I am CELEBRATED and is a place where I can be myself (that is identity!)
- HOME is a place where I am LOVED and FULLY accepted (that is safety and security!)
- HOME is safe shelter from life’s storms (that’s refuge!)
- HOME is where I am provided a SAFETY NET even in times when I fail (that is unmerited grace!)
- HOME is a place where I am given WINGS to be my best self (that is belief and empowerment!)
In the song’s chorus, it sings of JESUS as our unswerving HOME:
祢是我家, 我亲, 祢给了我信心
You’re my family, You’ve given me faith
在黑暗中, 如北极星
In my darkness, You’re my Northern Star
挽救导领
Who saved and guided me out of darkness
滴滴血汗, 为了爱,
You shed Your blood because of love
彻底还清一生债
And ransomed me from all my debts
满心感激，只对祢敬拜
With a grateful heart, I can only worship You
God, in His Great Love for us, sent His Only Son to be crucified on the Cross, so we might live.
Finally, Come Home to the Father
Luke 15:20 (NKJV)
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him…
This is exactly what our Heavenly Fathers longs to do to every-one who returns home to HIM. He looks out for us when we are still a GREAT way off, and when He sees His Sons & Daughters coming home, he SPRINTS..falls on our neck.. And Kisses us repeatedly..
Luke 15:22
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the BEST ROBE and put it on him, and put a RING on his hand and SANDALS on his feet. And BRING the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us EAT and be MERRY; for this my son was DEAD AND IS ALIVE again; he was LOST and is FOUND.’ And they began to be merry.
Experience the Father’s joy; YOU ARE the Father’s Joy, when you Return Home.
Lyrics: 祢是我家 (You Are My Home) © 2016 New Creation Worship
小时听了个故事, 听说有一个地方
I heard a story when I was a child, that there’s a place
是个辉煌灿烂, 温心的港湾
It’s a glorious and warm refuge
走在生活的路程, 满了生命的伤痕
On this journey of life, after experiencing hurts
回头想起那复原的避风港
Memories of that refuge come to mind
长大后我才反省,流浪生活如阴影
As I grew up, I realised how dark an aimless life can be
只有家是明亮前途和希望
Home is the only hope and bright future
漂泊了天南地北, 飞过了千山万水
I’ve travelled far and wide
竟然发现家是我快乐天堂
Only to find that happiness is found in family
祢是我家, 我亲, 祢给了我信心
You’re my family, You’ve given me faith
在黑暗中, 如北极星
In my darkness, You’re my Northern Star
挽救导领
Who saved and guided me out of darkness
滴滴血汗, 为了爱,
You shed Your blood because of love
彻底还清一生债
And ransomed me from all my debts
满心感激，只对祢敬拜
With a grateful heart, I can only worship You
耶稣我的力量, 爱我坚贞不渝
Jesus, my strength, You love me unceasingly
恩克服了邪恶, 因祢为我捨己
Grace overcame evil, because You gave Your all
耶稣我的救主, 承担一切病疾
Jesus, my Saviour, You bore all diseases
仁爱战胜卑劣, 创出幸福结局
Love conquered wickedness, my life is blessed forever
滴滴血汗, 为了爱,
You shed Your blood because of love
彻底还清一生债
And ransomed me from all my debts
满心感激，只对祢敬拜
With a grateful heart, I can only worship You
