How many American flag-themed décor items are appropriate to have in any given room? Asking for a friend. It’s me, actually. I have at least six in my living room but there are some empty spots on the wall, so I could still add more.
I love America. I’ve served her both in the military and as a spouse to a soldier-turned-diplomat. I’ve given up years of my life to be deployed and to be a solo-parent when it was my husband’s turn to go. I’ve given crisp salutes to officers at the Pentagon and pushed my kids’ strollers past guards in embassies overseas.
Though I obviously love my country, and our flag, my ideas of what it means to be American are ever-evolving and I’d sway a little if you asked me to pin it down to just one thing.
As a child, I loved looking at world maps, noticing the difference in the green of America and the brown and tan of “over there.” I’d study the maps in my Bible, tracing first the Israelites’ journey, then the ministries of Jesus and Paul in the Holy Land. Maybe it’s because my dad’s family is genetically linked to those 12 wandering tribes, or maybe it’s because my mom is a travel agent who showed me how big the world is, that my heart has leaned outside American borders as long as I can remember. I boarded my first international flight when I was 14 and have yet to be cured of my wanderlust.
For me now, far-off cities contain rugged and beautiful memories. The dark-robed women are real people with names and voices, not just images used for comparison. My son even has a birth certificate in a language I can’t read or speak, a lifelong memento of the dusty land where he took his first breath. I’ve been homesick and had culture shock on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
I didn’t expect to have any issues adjusting back into American culture when we recently moved back to Washington, D.C. from three years in the Middle East, but my country changed while I was gone. There’s no denying the tension, dissatisfaction, and division in America today, especially potent here in the capital.
I’m thankful to be “home,” but I’ve changed, too. I even question the idea of “home,” as my sense of belonging isn’t as strong as I remembered it and I’m more restless than ever.
God’s Word is giving me answers, directing me once again to look up from and out of my American setting. Philippians 3:20 says I’m a citizen of heaven. I’ve been a citizen of one place while living in another, so I relate, but what about my “it’s complicated” feelings about America?
Psalm 24:1 says,
The Earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
God is a loving Father and He doesn’t play favorites with His children.
My patriotic credentials might be as legitimate as they come, but the deeper I go into God’s Word and the more stamps I add to my passport, I increasingly see my homeland as a piece of the world. It’s a wonderful, multi-colored, jumbled piece, but still just a part of a much bigger picture.
My time in America, or any country, is only a temporary assignment. I’m here as an ambassador of heaven, if you will. I can love America, enjoy her freedoms, and pray for her blessing, but my citizenship or residency here isn’t my “factory setting.” This gives me so much hope as I watch the world seem to crumble around me, making it hard to get solid footing in any one place for too long. I wasn’t created to be here permanently, nor was this world ever meant to be my permanent home.
Jesus told us in John 14:2 that He himself is preparing our home in heaven.
I’m not sure how many flags, if any at all, He will hang on those walls, but I’m sure it will be absolutely perfect.
Leave a Comment
Kristine says
Loved reading your post this morning, Anna! What a beautiful perspective – an ambassador of heaven. Yes!
Anna C says
Thank you, Kristine. It’s by far the most challenging assignment, but we have such a good example through our Savior!
Frances says
Anna, Thank you & your husband for your service. Perhaps God has put you where you are now to be Ambassadors for Him and shed His light in that area of our beloved country of America. Blessings!!
Anna C says
I agree, Frances. It’s embarrassingly easy to forget how much America needs His light, though we have greater access to it here than anywhere in the world. Blessings back to you!
CRYSTAL PIPHER says
Such a beautiful heartfelt message about where I call ‘home’ too.
Thank you for your service and thank you most of all for this very important reminder.
Crystal P.
Allen, TX
Anna C says
Thank you, Crystal. We learn in this business, that home doesn’t have to be a single thing or place. For me, not being able to really define it makes me long all the more for the eternal home I was created for.
CRYSTAL PIPHER says
Well put! Thank you for the response. I will see in our eternal home someday. Until then, be well my sister in Faith!
Debbie says
Thank you Anna! I need Him and here I am a servant. This is hope, that heaven is our home. A great reminder today that I am a pilgrim, a temporary resident……
Anna C says
“I need Him and here I am a servant.” Well, put Debbie! A view like that helps us center our perspective where it needs to be.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Anna.
Thank you so much for the sacrifices you and your family have made for our country. I can’t even begin to fathom the mix of feelings you must have about the US right now, but like you so vividly pointed out, this world is NOT our home and we are strangers passing through. I agree that these times we live in give us (at least they give) a homesickness for my eternal home. There will always be something not quite at peace within my soul until I reach my eternal destination. You, more than anyone, can speak to this homesickness. Beautiful and such a poignant post.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Anna C says
Bev, “homesickness for my eternal home” like crazy over here in these past few weeks, for sure! It’s tricky, right, to live in the tension of the “here and not yet” nature of the Kingdom we’re actually citizens of? Thank you for reading and for your comment!
Michele Morin says
Anna, this is just gorgeous — full of beautiful truth.
If you haven’t already read it, Jen Pollock Michel has written a lovely book called Keeping Place in which she reflects on the meaning of home, both theologically and practically in terms of the plain hard work of home. I thought of her book as I read your post this morning.
Anna C says
Michele, thank you for this book recommendation! I’ve never heard of this author, but it looks like this book was written for me. It’s on my Amazon wish list now! I’ve been meditating that very “hard work” concept, too. I’m looking forward to reading more about it!
Karen Wheelock says
Thank you for this, Anna! The safest place to be with your remarkable family is in the middle of the will of God and I know that that means international living!
My father gave me a great love for America, but an even greater love for God and family. I see I have passed that to you. Love.
Anna C says
Thank you, Mom! You passed so much on to me and I’m so glad you’re getting a chance to see that reflected back! Love you!
B. says
The back and forth between you and your mom brought tears to my eyes. Praise God! God bless you both. God bless you all.
B. says
PS Thank you for this reminder that heaven is our home! Thank you to you and your husband for you service and your sacrifice!
Robin Lee says
This is beautiful. You are amazing. Thank you.
Anna C says
So are you. You’re welcome.
Kelly R Smith says
Anna, this is beautifully written. I feel your unsettled peace–being a wandering citizen. You inspire both the bravery to explore and the contentedness to stay.
Anna C says
Thank you, friend! Interesting you say “contentedness to stay.” There is such a tension there for me with the desire to explore. I’m learning, though! Maybe your (in)courage piece can speak to this more? 🙂
Cheryl Carpenter says
Awesome Anna, a great reminder for us today. Love you
Anna C says
Thank you! Love you, too!
Tina says
Thank you for writing, Anna, <3
Anna C says
You’re welcome, Tina! Thanks for reading!
Maggie says
Beautiful! I find this life so confusing and hard now. A friend recently said the same as you have, to me. “This is not your home!”
Anna C says
It IS so confusing and hard! It’s also a challenge to know how to then live, knowing we are here for only a breath of life before we go to our true home. Thank you for reading, Maggie!
Mia says
Thank you for this GREAT perspective and truth!
Anna C says
You’re welcome, Mia. Thank you for reading!
Glenda says
Thank you to your entire family for serving our country and those of the world! Your message was divinely appointed which spoke to my heart. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, lets us know we are on a journey back to where we first began. It keeps me loving, praying, believing and asking on a daily basis…Father the one you love…Trust You with all my heart, I lean not unto my own understanding, in all You ways,
acknowledge You, so that you may direct my path today to glorify you. Personalizing scripture helps me to accept His promises to walk in this broken world. My first post. Thank you ladies of faith! Much love to you all!❤️
Brandy says
Love this, Anna! I am sure the stories and memories you have from all over the world could fill a book! This was a fun read today!
Beth Williams says
Anna,
Lately I’ve thought a lot about Heaven also. This country has gotten a little like Sodom & Gomorrah. We are not a United States, but a divided states. It saddens me so much to see the younger generation destroying this beautiful country & for what? Most have no idea how this country was founded & what we stood for. There isn’t much pride here either. Thanks for reminding us to keep our focus on God. Thank you and your husband for you gracious service to this country you once loved. I applaud ALL our veterans & their families. They do a thankless job.
Blessings 🙂
Rebecca L Jones says
Thank you and your husband for your service. I’ve only been in a few surrounding states but I have always wanted to travel. And then there’s the no place like home, and you are absolutely correct, so many people are longing for heaven, our real home, Jesus was the passport we needed.
Heather Gerwing says
Anna, Thank you for your sacrificial service to our country. You have encouraged me with your words and insight! There is no one more who I’d rather have lunch with when I’m the nations capital. 🙂
Beth says
Beautiful post Anna. Such a timely reminder.
Becky L says
I enjoy flags and other American patriotic items as well. I just am like that for some reason. Both my husband and I were in US Air Force….that’s how we met. Spent 2 years serving/living in England. I enjoyed it there. Something different coming home. Yes we are only sojourners in this world. Waiting for our real home in heaven. I like your perspective. Thanks for your and your husband’s service our God and country. Land of the free and the home of the brave!
Christie says
Thank you, Anna. I agree with the other girls… such a wonderful reminder. God’s peace to all of us as we tarry.
Andrea Stunz says
As a seasoned expatriate, I can relate to every bit of what you’ve written. It is especially poignant in this season of repatriation. Bless you for sharing and thank you for the encouraging reminder!