We had married young, not realizing how young until years later.
We had talked long and hard about where we would settle and live once married. He was from Massachusetts, a state I had not even visited before meeting him.
Our two week honeymoon to Hawaii was just beautiful – probably every girls’ dream. It had been perfect in every way. Upon coming home, we stayed with my parents a few short days, enough time to load up our car with more of my belongings and then drive to our first apartment.
But during those first few years, something was always missing.
I loved our apartment, and the life we were building together, and my husband, deeper than my life itself. Five years after getting married, we bought our first home. And the void only grew. I longed for “home”.
It was when, as the hardest of times struck, did the realization hit, “This is home.”
In a split second, I knew that New York was no longer home. The longing to return was gone for I was now “home”.
We all journey to find the place called – home. In her latest book, Making It Home
Home –> that place we find comfort, security, and a true sense of ourselves.
In this soul-stirring memoir, Emily awakens us to the truth, home is more than the house we live in. It is the very place where God Himself meets our souls and our lives find meaning.
I found myself deeply moved as I read her words:
- “But our hearts – they wander around outside our bodies without a place of residence.” (page 21)
- “Because home is not the house we live in but the people whose pictures line the walls…And making a home is a daily sacrifice of creating and holding and being.” (page 49)
- “And maybe the secret to all of life is to never stop reaching out in the dark. To never stop taking hold of each other’s hands. To never let go.” (page 72)
- “I am learning that being a woman is about giving until it hurts.” (page 90)
- “How very much depends on God and how very little depends on us.” (page 103)
- “And isn’t this what a true leader is? Someone who dies to himself, who bleeds for others?” (page 114)
- “… but I know too, that the most lavish blessings are perhaps best learned in difficulty – and in that way, I see his care through good and bad circumstances since I trust that he is acting in my life and using all these things to pull me closer to himself.” (page 128)
This book is a gift, each word filled with emotion and encouragement straight from her heart to yours.
Each word will point you home.
To Jesus.
For He makes His home in each one of us.
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say, My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” (John 14:23, NLT)
Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author, founder of The Lulu Tree and blogger at www.emilywierenga.com. She lives in Canada, with her husband, Trenton, and their three children. You may also find her on Twitter or Facebook. Get FREE downloadable chapters from Making It Home HERE.
GIVEAWAY! Because I absolutely was blessed in reading this book and the proceeds from this book will benefit The Lulu Tree, I am giving away several copies of this book. Leave a comment letting me know which of the quotes from the book most resonated with you. I will contact each winner Monday, September 21st.
**** Please note .. the giveaway has now been closed. Winners will be contacted through email. Thank you so much to all of you who entered!
Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Look Up and Everyday Jesus and Booknificent Thursday and Cozy Reading Spot and Literacy Musing Mondays .
Oh – I’m going to have to check out this book – it looks so good! Thanks for the recommendation. I really loved the quote: “But our hearts – they wander around outside our bodies without a place of residence.†Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong – even in the same town I grew up in and with church members who knew me when I was born.
Sarah, may you know you always belong & have a home with Him. And wait until Monday, before you buy the book, to see if you win the book 🙂 You are entered!
Your post has inspired me to sort through thoughts of family–and the current struggles. The words, “never stop reaching out in the dark. To never stop taking hold of each others hands” connected with me. Thanks for sharing your review.
Carol, I am so glad that one of Emily’s quotes spoke to your heart. May He give you the wisdom you need to sort through family. Blessings!
The third one is my favorite since right now we are in the midst of sorrow and deep prayer. Good friends of ours got into a bike/auto accident. The wife was killed instantly and the husband is fighting for his life in ICU. “never stop reaching out in the dark and holding onto each other.”
Sharon, I saw on FB that you shared about this family. What a tragic loss. I have been praying for the family. I truly am sorry for the loss you all have experienced.
“Because home is not the house we live in but the people whose pictures line the walls…And making a home is a daily sacrifice of creating and holding and being.†(page 49)
If you enter my home, you will find, it is more of a mismatched storage unit. No matter how hard I try to organize and make it look presentable, the three men in my life, have a different concept of what organization means. I think this book can teach me how to change my thinking, it’s not about the way my house looks to others, but about the three guys in my life.
It is so true. May our homes be more about those who live & visit with us. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
I can’t help but comment on this fine review! I just finished reading Making It Home, and it was captivating, mostly because of her honest sharing of her heart with her readers.
Michele, I am so glad that you enjoyed her book as well. And that you stopped here even though you already read the book. May you have a blessed Sunday!
Oh wow! I just discovered Emily’s blog the other day and was so ministered to by her words. This book sounds like it was written just for me. My husband and I bought our little 2 bedroom dream home when I was pregnant with our 2nd child. It was perfect. Fast forward 8 8 years and 3 more children. It has become very tight to say the least. The market crashed and we have been underwater in our house with no way to move out right now. God has taught me SO much and I am learning day by day to be content and grateful for ALL that I do have. These words spoke so directly to me: “Because home is not the house we live in but the people whose pictures line the walls…And making a home is a daily sacrifice of creating, holding and being.” Thank you so much for sharing this great review and giveaway!!
It is most difficult to be in your position for sure. In this time of waiting for the market to turn around,may you know that God has the opportune time for you to move. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
“I am learning that being a woman is about giving until it hurts.” This resonates with me as I find my place in ministry. It’s so different from the way the world would do a book club or a meeting or an event. And yes, sometimes it can hurt.
Traci, ministry can be one of the most difficult journeys one can take. Yes, it can hurt. But may you keep focused that it is for His glory & purposes. It is always worth the hurt as lives are touched by Him. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
In my life, both today and in the past, there’s an eerie echo from one of the ‘Rambo’ movies –
“What you call hell, he calls home.”
I realized recently that I’m so accustomed to things that normal people wouldn’t put up with, in terms of physical pain now, and living/working conditions then, that there are really no points of contact.
Things that would wig out my wife are within normal bounds to me – and never worthy of mention. I’ve come in from the workshop with a saw blade stuck in one of my finger bones, and she was quite angry that I regarded it as a ‘so what?’
It’s not posturing, or idiotic machismo…it’s just a part of life. Saws slip. So what? God gave me ten fingers so I could have a few spares.
She didn’t like that one, either.
Andrew, it is amazing that you can take things like a saw slip in stride. May God be with you, and your wife, in the days ahead. May you know that you are being prayed for by many. Thank you for entering the giveaway.
“But our hearts – they wander around outside our bodies without a place of residence.†<< THIS. After living across continents and in ten rentals in ten years, I can totally relate. So eager to have this book in my hands! Emily's writing voice is so stunning. Thank you for sharing this post and hosting this giveaway, Joanne!
Kate, I was so excited to see that you entered!!!! Thank you so much for stopping here & sharing. And thank you for so faithfully hosting us all each Friday. It is such a blessing!
My favorite quote has to be, “Because home is not the house we live in but the people whose pictures line the walls…And making a home is a daily sacrifice of creating and holding and being.†(page 49) It was hard, though, to pick just one! After reading your review I definitely want to read this book!
I am so glad that the quotes resonated with you. It truly is a wonderful book. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
The quote that reached into my heart was this…“And maybe the secret to all of life is to never stop reaching out in the dark. To never stop taking hold of each other’s hands. To never let go.†It says it all to this servant’s heart. Blessings to you and yours! Marie
Marie, it is so true. There are so many that we need to reach out to as they go through difficult times. May we be His hand extended. I am so glad you entered the giveaway!
This sounds like a stellar read, Joanne! Will definitely have to add it to my list 🙂
As a military wife, this quote really hit home: “Because home is not the house we live in but the people whose pictures line the walls…And making a home is a daily sacrifice of creating and holding and being.â€
So glad to be back, and thanks for the grace in my recent absence. Sometimes life/ministry gets a bit crazy 🙂
Sharita, it truly is a wonderful read & one you will enjoy. I’m glad you are back 🙂 and that you entered the giveaway.
You are such a gift to me. Thank you. XO
I love Emily’s writing! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
Tina, I am so glad you enjoy Emily’s writing as well. This book was just wonderful! See you Thursday 🙂