About the Author

Michelle Ami Reyes, PhD, is an author and activist. Her first book, Becoming All Things, is the recipient of the 2022 ECPA award. Michelle writes at the intersection of multiculturalism, faith, and justice. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas.

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things we love
& you will too!
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Comments

  1. Michelle, you won’t believe this, but last night I dreamed that I was still living in Michigan (where I lived for seven years), and that my husband had been transferred to west Texas. I woke from the dream worried about whether I would be able to make a home for my family in such a different place. It was a weird dream, to say the least, but it tracks so closely with what you’ve said here!

    When I was a little girl we used to sing a song that began “This world is not my home, I’m just a’passin’ through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. . .” Indeed, the longing for home lives inside each of us. Thank you for articulating the longing–and the hope–so well.

    P.S. It was such a treat to meet you at the Redbud retreat! I look forward to getting to know you better.

    • Hi Richella! What a crazy dream! Are y’all from west Texas? It’s funny how different north and south, east and west are, and how part of who we are changes, depending on where we live. Thankfully, God’s mercy and grace covers every foot of ground we traverse! I love that song you mentioned. I’m going to to look that up. Grateful that these words on home resonated with you today. It was such a joy to chat with you last week, and I do hope it’s the first of many more chats to come!

      • We’re from Tennessee, not from Texas, so I have no idea why west Texas showed up in that dream. . . but reading your post right on the heels of having that dream certainly got me to thinking!

        If you have access to a hymnal that includes 19th/early 20th century “revival” hymns, you should be able to find “This World Is Not My Home.” If not, here’s a snippet:

        This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through;
        My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
        The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
        And I can’t feel at home in this world any more.

        Chorus: Oh, Lord, you know I have no friend like you;
        If heaven’s not my home, then Lord, what will I do?
        The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
        And I can’t feel at home in this world any more.

        Isn’t that sweet? I love the image of “heaven’s open door.” A beautiful, homey image of the love of God.

  2. Dear Michelle, I moved around a lot as a child. Now I’ve called the same place “home” for over 30 years. Northwest Oregon is a beautiful place, but I long for that perfect place that is heaven. While I’m here, though I’ll try to live my best life through Christ, spreading as much love and kindness as I can. Thank you for your wise words.

    • Hi Irene, I’ve never been to Oregon, but it sounds lovely! For so many people, home is an uncomfortable space of pain and even ugliness. God comforts them with the reminder and the hope that their current home is only temporary. But, even for those who have been blessed with beauty in their earthly homes, we can see a glimpse of the even greater and perfect home to come. So, amen! I love your perspective and commitment to living your “best life through Christ” now, and using your home as a vehicle for that.

  3. This article really hit home for me …. I grew up in a foreign country but always had a home in U. S. A. After a 28year marriage here in Fl, I have had to move out of my home. I have found a temporary place to live furnished. Yesterday, I contacted the landlord & asked her if I could buy a couch & two chairs on my expense to make this place feel more like home to me for the time being. She was gracious & told me we would work something out.

    Thank you for reminding me that this is not my forever home & circumstances always are changing due to God’s plan for our lives. However he is not. He is always the same. And he is with us to the end of time.

    • Karen – I can’t even imagine what you are going through right now. I’m so so sorry to hear about the loss of more than just your home. Please know that you have a community at (in)courage that cares for you and that hears your voice. I am grateful that your landlord has been helpful and kind. I will be praying for you, for God to provide a more stable living situation and to show you His comfort and care during this difficult time.

  4. Dear Michelle,
    I, too, grew up in Minnesota! All that you described brought back such happy memories. Winters were long and cold, but as children, we didn’t mind because we lived by a large hill where sledding was perfect! I remember the huge icicles hanging from our house and garage….the beauty of trees laden with sparkling snow with sun shining on them. As I grew up, and adult responsibilities became my job, shoveling snow and driving on icy roads removed some of the glamour I felt as a child. But, most importantly, Minnesota was where my home was. Home is such a beautiful, comforting word! My parents made our ‘house’ a home by the way they nurtured us. An example was set to help me make a true ‘home’, in turn, for my children. Now, in my ‘golden years’ I see my grandchildren making true ‘homes’ for their families. I now live in Florida….snow is not a part of my winters anymore, and the thought of Heaven is beautiful!! So nice to hear from another ‘former Minnesotan’! God bless you!

    • Hi Mary, I love the Minnesotan connection! There are so few Minnesotans in Austin 🙂 What a beautiful picture of how home can be passed down as a legacy to our children. The place in which we live is a gift from God, something we can steward, and pass on those who come after us. Love that!

  5. Michelle,

    I lived in Florida for about 20 years. Did not enjoy the heat & humidity. I longed for mountains & seasons. Now I’ve moved to Upper E. TN with the smoky mountains all around me. I feel like this is a great temporary home for me. This world down here is getting more evil daily. I can’t bear to listen to the news anymore. So much random killing, & hatred going on. When I hear a song with the lyrics “Jesus is coming” I often look up & say “come now Lord I’m ready”. I think with all the craziness in this world–preachers preaching what “our itching ears” want to hear & not telling the truth (false prophets), LGBTQ, no school prayers, no reading Bible, etc. my heart, soul & body is tired of fighting this fight down here. I
    feel more ready for my permanent home in Heaven than ever before. Ready for peace, contentment & spending my days praising the one who died for me on the cruel cross.

    Blessings 🙂

  6. Each time we’ve moved to a different community (eight times), I’ve struggled with being a stranger in a new place. It’s taken awhile for the location to feel like home. But! The moment we enter heaven we’ll have that sense of being home immediately, a place where we belong. Praise God for the welcome that awaits! And thank you, Michelle, for reminding us of our glorious future.