I have been pondering lately the feeling of home.

Maybe you travel a lot, or work long days, and you pull into the driveway. Walking up to the door, and seeing it standing there waiting. Hearing the key slide into the lock, and then the click. The door swings open, but there’s that initial step into the home.

That is such a good feeling. There’s no place like home, the saying goes. To capture that moment and carry it with you throughout the day would be lovely, right?

To feel peace and exhilaration all at once.

There is a book by Melody Beattie entitled, “Finding Your Way Home.” It contains stories of people’s ideas of what home is, and how they yearn to return there. Taking a detour off the path of life can feel like a maze of sorts. I can lose my way so easily, if I don’t depend on God to guide me. Even then, I take detours, but He waits while I wander.

Here is a meditation Melodie suggests in her book.

Get in a comfortable position, and let you eyes close.

Picture yourself standing at the entrance to a bridge, a walkway across a chasm. You can make the bridge as high, as low, as wide, or as narrow as you want. But to get to the other side, you need to step onto the bridge and walk across. The side you’re standing on is a little dark. It’s familiar, but it’s not where you want to be anymore. Even if you have some fear, envision yourself feeling excited and curious to get to the other side. You may not be able to see what’s on the other side clearly yet, but it looks greener, lighter, happier over there. Feel your desire and determination to cross the bridge.

Picture yourself walking, safely taking each step, or running (if you want to run) across the bridge. Stay with yourself each step of the way. Hold the railing if you like, or run freely down the middle of the bridge. But take each step until you get to the other side. When you get to the other side, keep walking until you are completely off the bridge, and your feet are planted on solid ground. Give yourself a moment to look back at where you’ve come from. Smile and wave at anyone, or anything you’ve left behind. Bless them. Release them. Don’t worry about who you’ve left behind; when they’re ready to cross, their bridge will appear. Turn around, smile, and take a moment to enjoy the beauty you see and feel on this new side.

Know you’re safe. You have successfully crossed the bridge. Your feet are planted on solid ground. Feel yourself surrounded by people who love you. You may not be able to see their faces or recognize who they are yet, but you can feel their love. Feel yourself surrounded by trees, mountains, sunshine and birds. You may not know exactly what you’re going to find on this new side, but you feel secure. Know and trust that it will be good.

You’re on your way home.