My Harbor

November 29, 2015

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,and he brought them to their desired haven. {Ps. 107}

Today I am reporting from the kitchen table. It’s less than exciting, and altogether peaceful. 

You know that feeling of coming home? Maybe it’s not to your actually “home” home. Maybe it’s a good friend’s house or even just a good friend. I think it is in Sleepless in Seattle that this feeling is put in words: “It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known.” After coming to college, I waited quite a while before I ever felt like a trip back to State College was a trip “home”. I often wonder how long it will take to consider Granada “home”.

I digress.

This kitchen table, although it has changed since I was a wee thing, feels like home. Around this table I have eaten countless meals with my family, the members changing as my siblings moved out and some who needed a home moved in. I’ve decorated many a Christmas cookie here with Meemaw by my side. I probably wrote my first word at this table. If I had a snapshot of all the times I have sat down at this table, well… I’d have a lot of snapshots. 

A lot of memories. 

But right now, as I wait to travel back to school, I’m content to sit alone at this table with my cup of orange spice tea, the psalms, and my journal. (Emphasis on alone because this is something I am now just beginning to savor) I’m content to reminisce on the seasons of my life that this table “saw me through”. I’m excited to sit at this table for the last time before I take a step out of that door directly across from me-the first step to Spain. 

Okay, actually that thought made my stomach twist just a tiny bit with nerves.

As I get up from the table this time, I’ll grab a few last things and head out on another adventure. This table, it’s like a harbor. That quote comes to mind… 

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

I guess it’s time for this ship to sail to Penn State one last time this semester. (sail cat, anyone?) I can remember the night before I left for college, sitting at this table with a box of tissues and just weeping. I was so fearful, so distraught to leave. This time I’ll get up without much of a second thought, ready for this trip I’ve now made a dozen times. But this table will be here. 

My harbor. 

And, to continue with the sailing theme, this song has resurfaced in my life and feels fitting for this season:

Anchor-John Tibbs

(This is from a sample I wrote for an application, and decided to use for practice to get used to this whole blogging thing...sorry State College friends- I know it sounds like I'm coming back before I leave for Spain but I wrote this the last day of Thanksgiving break)