My grandparent’s dinner table holds one of my fondest memories from childhood. Every Christmas Eve my Grandpa Estock held two small plates – one with slices of garlic and the other with a generous glob of honey. He would stand beside each of us and gently say, “Dip this garlic in the honey and eat it to help you remember the love around this table. So if you ever get lost in the woods you will be able to find your way home.” I have continued this tradition in my own home on Christmas Eve, well aware of all the times in my life that I have felt lost and was able to find my way home.

If there were ever a time that we need my grandfather’s garlic and honey remedy it is now!

Our being lost shows up in our exhaustion, anxiety, grief, frustration, and anger. We are so done with this pandemic and the many ways our lives continue to be tossed by the sea of uncertainty. We long for stability and yet wonder when the next covid surge will come.

It is time to find our way home. But where exactly is that and how do we get there?

The home of which I speak is a quality of deep trust where, as Julian of Norwich said, “All is well, and all manner of things shall be well.” It is being aware that this one precious life is being lived through us. It is an experience of constant wonder and delight with the unfolding of life itself – even the messy parts. When we find our true selves – loved, loveable and loving – and feel our connection with all creatures great and small, we are home.

When we find our true home, time slows down with a sense of spacious delight. We begin to notice beauty in the most unlikely places. We open to compassion for ourselves and others. We are able to sit with messiness and grow wise by it. We open to our innate wisdom and trust in its guidance. In short it is when we seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Love.

There is an ancient practice, called Discernment that helps us to find our way home. This practice looks more like a labyrinth than a straight line, but eventually you find yourself in the heart of it all – grounded, connected, confident, and whole.

If you are longing to find your way home, I invite you to take this journey of discernment with me during the Season of Lent. You can find out more HERE.

Because we all know, there is no place like home….