The Psalmist evidently had a clear concept of the true home of each idea of God when he wrote figuratively (Ps. 84:3), "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God."To have a place of abode providing rest and shelter is the general desire that impels people to seek and maintain a home. When, however, the endeavor to establish and keep it up is based on mere human desire, planning, and effort, the result is often not satisfactory, for material methods are inadequate to provide a true and lasting home.

During the time of acute housing shortage two Christian Scientists discovered that they would soon be compelled to vacate the place in which they were residing. They knew that the conventional human methods for finding a place could prove as futile for them as they had proved for hundreds of other people in every metropolitan area. They felt that the situation should be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate the true sense of home.

Searchingly they asked themselves the question, "Where are you living?" They resolved not to be anxious about the future and the material habitation that it would bring forth, but to work faithfully every moment to gain a clearer sense of their true home and dwelling place. Christ Jesus stated the fact that God has provided a home for each of His ideas in these words: "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). The mansion that each one has in the realm of Mind, God, who is divine Love, is spiritual consciousness. We truly live and are active as we abide in this consciousness, which reveals God as our beloved Father-Mother and ourselves as actually His obedient and blessed children, spiritual, perfect, and complete. It is on the basis of the all-power and all-presence of God and of the perfection of the man and universe of God's creating that human problems are solved in Christian Science. It is on this basis that one's concept of home is spiritualized and true home demonstrated in human experience.

Some answers to the question, "Where are you living?" are these spiritual truths: I am living in the all-embracing, all-providing, omnipotent presence of Love and Mind. I am dwelling in the consciousness that my spiritual, perfect being—the reflection of Life, God —is founded on the rock of Truth. I do not move from or into my home, nor can I be displaced from or dispossessed of it, because I eternally live in Soul.

The resolve to rely solely on Christian Science brought into sharp focus another question: "Is the spiritual concept of home, scientifically applied in human affairs, adequate to meet the need for living quarters?" Aggressive error would make the two students afraid. It argued, "The time is too short."

They replied: "God does not need time. His law of adjustment is operating now."

Error continued, "But how are you going to find a place?"

They answered, "Divine Love, through its infinite care, has already established a home for its children, and our understanding of this fact will make manifest the needed human habitation."

"But if a place does turn up, someone else will get it first," error slyly persisted.

"God has provided for all His ideas. They do not need to compete for His blessings," came the reply.

Thus the erroneous suggestions were refuted as they arose. Each day was begun with the assurance given us by Mary Baker Eddy, "Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 254). The students sought to express the heaven of harmony and spirituality at all times and toward everyone. They affirmed and strove to realize that their real home was furnished with spiritual light, beauty, bounty, holiness, love, understanding, and wisdom. They were certain that this spiritual sense of home nullified mortal mind's limited beliefs about home. They knew that this realization is spiritual power, and they were thankful for it.

A rich reward was reaped from holding fast to these truths. In a short time they heard not only of one, but of five available places. The most suitable was accepted with the assurance that continued study and a still clearer understanding of the truth of home would unfold a richer demonstration. This proved to be the case, for in a reasonable time a more suitable house was obtained. The new place called for new furnishings and increased expense, but with the conviction that spiritual ideas supplied their every need, they went forward. This progressive step was accompanied by increased activity and income that enabled them to meet their increased financial obligations. The understanding of the divinely mental nature of true home that resulted from their turning to the all-presence and omnipotence of God endowed the students with ability to aid others who were seeking a better home or who believed they were homeless.

One opportunity to help came as follows. A woman found it necessary to move. She felt that she did not know where to look. She was counseled to look to God alone, and she would not be disappointed. Her fear disappeared as the fact of God's complete provision for all of His ideas was realized. Then she was assured that since God's work is done, He had already lodged each idea in its proper place. She was urged to live every moment on that basis and was further assured that with this realization the human problem would be solved. This assurance was given with the conviction that all things are possible to God. The woman was led to make one contact with the manager of an apartment house. He said, "A tenant just gave notice, and you may have the apartment."

One's living quarters are the outward manifestation of his thinking. If he has an unsatisfactory home, or no home at all, then he needs to look away from the outward circumstances into his own thoughts and asks himself: "Where are you living? What is your concept of home?" If he believes that he is living in matter and that his real home is a material habitation, then he needs to spiritualize his thought and gain the true concept of home through the study and practice of Christian Science. This will bring him the realization that in his true being he is already in his home, the abode of Mind. Who will not be glad to exchange the limited and insecure sense of home for the true spiritual concept, which is ever beautiful, ample, and safe?

The Psalmist's reference to the sparrows' and the swallows' building of their nests on the altars of God was evidently intended to inspire men to avail themselves of the provision of the Father for each idea. We too can build our homes upon a spiritual basis. Mrs. Eddy says in "Pulpit and Press" (p. 2), "The real house in which 'we live, and move, and have our being' is Spirit, God, the eternal harmony of infinite Soul."

To the question, "Where are you living?" we must always be sure to give the right answer: that we are truly living in Mind, God. As we work effectively and know that we are actually already in our real home, and as we strive consistently to express Mind at all times, we find our true home manifested in our experience.