Abraham the Gypsy

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible... By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’

 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

He looked forward to a city with foundations. Imagine being a people who had not settled yet. The writer of Hebrews is arguing that Abraham was looking for a place built by God, a heavenly foundation. But Abraham was a traveler, a sojourner, a gypsy.

Although everywhere I have ever lived had a literal foundation, my husband says I was a gypsy of sorts. We moved a lot, basically in the same area of the country but many different homes. Before I went to college, I lived in eleven different homes. Yes, they all had foundations. And each home also included my parents, a different kind of foundation. Much of the time, there were even grandparents present. And a variety of siblings with each home.

When my husband was born, he lived with his grandmother while his parents were building their home next store. He lived in that new home for the whole of his childhood. I understand why he thinks I'm a gypsy. I have a want to keep moving. And when I can't move to another home, I rearrange the furniture. I'm pleased to say that having been married to him now for 17 years, I'm enjoying the feeling of settled more and more. And thanks to HGTV, we can all continue to decorate and redecorate til our hearts are content with our place of settle-ness.

Or maybe we're not content -maybe we too are longing for a place with a foundation. Maybe the foundations beneath us aren't the ones for which we long. Dang it if Augustine wasn't right, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee Lord."

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