As the son of a pastor, I had no notion whatsoever of "home." I grew up in houses owned by churches and was constantly reminded that our "home" belonged to someone else. We were not free to paint our own choice of colors nor alter the property without approval from some Board of Trustees. Moving from place to place, congregation to congregation, left me with an unformed view of both "place" and "friendship." (Gordon MacDonald)
When I read this quote from Gordon MacDonald I felt sad - sad for him but also that this same pattern is still being repeated in Christian circles.
Never mind it happening to a pastor's son - it happens in many Christian families!
Kids are growing up with no sense of 'place', where friendships really don't happen in the neighbourhood. Rather, friendships come from sports teams (not neighbourhood based), schools you drive to (so friends are far away), and 'church', (again, a place you drive to so friends are not within walking distance).
Thankfully Gordon M. discovered a sense of 'place' as an adult.
Have you discovered (or re-discovered) a sense of 'place' and 'friendship'?
Are you helping your children find a sense of place & friendship?
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