Where's Home?

As we are in the throes of packing, I have actually been quite excited. Packing in itself is drudgery but the anticipation of a new home fills my heart with much joy.

I have always been on the move. I was born in Calcutta, lived there for 2 years, and then relocated to Delhi. I spent 13 years in Delhi; the longest I have stayed in one place, yet. Then I moved to Canada and in the span of 3 years, I lived in 2 homes. During university, I lived in 3 homes. At this point, I started detaching myself from the physical space of the home. Every time I moved, I didn't spend my energy "decorating" it. Setting up a home seemed pointless to me. I moved yet again after graduation and then again, a month before we got married. In my 27 years, I have lived in 10 homes. South Sudan is going to be my 11th home!

A friend gave this to me the first time I hung out with her. We'll be taking this to South Sudan

The fact is that there's a part of me that wants to settle down. There's a longing to just stay put in one place for more than 5 years at least. To actually care about a physical space and make it just like I want to, as opposed to the "why bother (physically and monetarily), we're going to move anyway" mentality I've had over the past 9+ years.

Which brings me to my questions. What makes a home? Is it the physical space, is it the people, is it the house you grew up in (even though you're married and have your own physical space)? These questions seem quite irrelevant when I think of the many displaced people in South Sudan itself. I really do feel silly asking this question. However, I am wrestling with it nonetheless. 

I have come to realize that because God has put eternity in my heart, no matter where I move to, I will always be homesick. If I am a minority in a country and try to fill my home with familiar things, I will still be homesick. Not for Canada, not even for India but for Heaven. 

This is freeing for me. Especially since I don't know where "home" will be in 2014. David and I can go anywhere God wants us to, because no matter where we are, our ultimate, eternal home still awaits us.

Bibles passages I turned to while reflecting on this:

John 14:2
[Jesus speaking] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Hebrews 11:13-16

...admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

What about you? How many homes have you lived in? What makes a home, home for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!