Finding Your Nazereth

During his homily one Saturday evening mass, Father David talked about "finding your Nazareth." He talked about how he would soon be visiting his hometown in Nebraska, where he grew up, and he was excited to say a mass for the first time in the church where he grew up. This place is his "Nazareth." He was referring to when Jesus came back home to Nazareth after being gone for many years, and he ended his homily asking us where our Nazareth was. Interesting question, isn't it? In other words, where is your base? Where do you think of as "home?"
Interestingly enough, as Brady and I talked about this later, we both came to the same conclusion - our Nazareth is not a place. For us, it is our family, The 4 B's. And I would have to add in my parents to the mix, as well, because they are always there for me when I need them. But isn't it interesting that both Brady and I would choose people over a place?
The moral of the story (or this blog post, at least) is that for Brady and I, home is where the heart is, and we are so grateful to have found each other at this stage of our lives, and we feel more blessed than words can say to have our two precious B's.
However, I do hope that our little B's will grow up with a bit of both people and place in their "Nazareth." I hope our little homestead will always be a place they want to return to. And I hope they will always turn to us when they need parental love or guidance as they face the inevitable hardships life will throw at them.
As I think about this, I think God would be proud of us for putting people over a place. Because when you get right down to it, nothing matters more than the love of your immediate family. And to take it a step farther, I think Father David was referring to people, as well. His family is in Nebraska, and he grew up in a very small town where everyone knew everyone and everyone's business (I can relate). To take it even one more step, if you look at people who have lost their way, people who are unhappy and mean and arrogant, they have lost their Nazareth. And we all need a Nazareth - we all need a place to turn when the chips are down.
You've heard it said "the family that prays together stays together." I believe this. I believe in having faith and I depend on faith - being Catholic is part of my Nazareth, as well. I find a lot of comfort in my religion. And I believe God's love is the world's Nazareth. Hmmmmmm... This is a bit deep, isn't it? Perhaps it requires more thought. What is your Nazareth?