Article March 19, 2012 Issue

Love is reflected in home

By Michelle Nanouche

“What language do you speak at home?” As an American married to a Frenchman, I am asked that a lot. Actually, we mix things up quite a bit. But one thing is sure—whatever the vocabulary du jour, in our home we speak the language of divine Love. 

I have moved 18 times throughout the United States, England, and France, and am even now preparing to move to a new apartment. With these changes, I have learned that real home is not defined by a type of building, a place, certain people, a culture, a language, or by stuff we own. All that can change. Spiritually considered, home is an awareness of the ever-presence of divine Love. It is not a place so much as the consciousness of God’s love. As the reflection—the image—of Love, we each have an innate capacity to express love and to feel loved. Home, as an awareness of Love, is actually built into one’s spiritual identity. And the more in-touch we are with God’s love, the more we can feel rooted and at home in any place or situation.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful descriptions of home is in the 91st Psalm, which says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . . . He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust” (verses 1, 4). This idea of the safety and shelter to be found in an awareness of God’s love was brought home to me when, after a rapid winter thaw, our house experienced a minor flood. In our backyard we had a hen house for three pet chickens. For several weeks, one hen had been sitting on two eggs and they were about ready to hatch. Concerned, I waded out to see how they were doing. I found the roost covered with water. But the chickens had perched way up high on sticks. And poking out from under the mother hen’s wings were two pairs of chick feet. Each one had hatched, safe and sound, high and dry. 

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