Finding Home

       After repeated years of Spring floods, we have had a calm spring up north here in the Red River Valley.  In fact, the end of winter found us short of moisture.   We hadn't gotten rains in the fall, and we were comparatively low for snow cover.   Now don't get me wrong, the people up here are relieved to have a spring without filling sand bags and watching rising river levels.
       People are happy, but it has caused some confusion for migrating birds.
       Other years, fields have been changed into temporary lakes just in time for the migration of geese, swans, coots, ducks, and other waterfowl.  In past flooded springs, they could be seen for weeks by the thousands as they rested and nested in water-covered beet and wheat fields.   What caused destruction and chaos for people was a temporary haven for the birds.
       But this spring, most of the huge flocks passed through quickly without the water to attract them in large numbers.
       However, there seem to have been a few pairs of geese that have been confused by the lack of "lakes" and have been seen wondering the edges of fields as if looking for their nesting places.  But instead of quiet fields of abundant water, they found dry fields and anxious farmers eager to be out working and plowing the fields.  It didn't take most of the geese long to decide to move on to more favorable nesting grounds.
       There is in many migratory species this need to return to where they came from, the need to go home.  The delicate Monarch butterfly migrates back and forth from Canada to Mexico and Baja California even though no one butterfly actually survives to make it make home because it takes 3-4 generations of butterflies to make the trip!
       One of the huge changes over the two centuries has been the movement of people from the places they came from to more and more mobile lives.  Instead of coming from villages and towns where our ancestors have lived for generations, not only have many of us migrated to new countries but also we have not settled down in one new place.
       The economy and the realities of modern jobs have flung families all across our country and even further.   Instead of having built-in support systems within a multi-generational family, we are often on our own in a new place.
       We can (and do) turn to resources and friends on the Internet for advice and help.  But we also need real people and we need a place that gives us a sense of safety and security.
       In John 15:4 (and the following verses), Jesus invites us, tells us to 'abide in him' - to dwell, live in Jesus.  Following Jesus in this matter can give us the peace and sense of belonging that we need in the midst of  so much change and chaos.
        Gathering together with other people of faith around the Word and sacraments provide an anchor and identity, purpose, and help direct us in the way to live.  In a world where so much changes so quickly, we can be at rest, finding our home in God.  Read Psalm 84:1-4