Last week I reflected on the lessons I’ve learned in the
past years regarding the conscious decision to be happy and to allow God to
lead us on our rightful and defining paths.
I also previously reflected, several weeks ago, on Miranda Lambert’s
latest single, “Automatic” and the deeper meaning behind the lyrics.
Today’s post is a combination of the two notions: a
reflection on another number one country hit, and its emblematic, representative
meaning of our personal roots embedded behind the captivating melody.
Yesterday while cooking breakfast—three scrambled eggs coupled
with a piece of toast LOADED with peanut butter (never fails)—I was listening
to the top 20 country countdown, and in between the number 1 and 2 hits was a
replay and brief story of a popular hit from the past. This time it was Miranda Lambert’s longstanding
number one single, “The House that Built Me”—not only a song I love to sing
because of its beauty but also because of its profound meaning.
The song is a thought provoking, reflective appealing expression
of the significance of one’s home. While
the house we often inhabit as we grow up can often be a scene of
transgressions, turmoil, frustration, or annoyance, it is, most importantly,
our safe haven and the place we live, learn, and grow in love.
Home is the place we know will always accept us with open arms. The place we can retreat to when life’s got
us down in the dumps. Our place to be
comfortable. Our place to ask questions
and be inspired. Our place to challenge dichotomous
rules or statements. Most of all, it is
our place of upbringing engrained with unique and valuable lessons on life,
love, hope, and faith.
It is not surprising then, that when so often children grow
up, move out, and explore college life and their nascent adulthood, that they end
up retreating back home when life gets a little rough around the edges.
But of course they do. Home really is our Safe Haven (generally speaking).
But of course they do. Home really is our Safe Haven (generally speaking).
But what about the times when we lose or way? Times when we’ve
grown lazy in our faith, forgotten to ask the Lord for His guidance, forgotten
our foundational values, or essentially even forgotten who we are as unparalleled
individuals?
Home is our place to discover and continually re-learn and regenerate
who we are and reinforce those very values we hold close to our hearts.
But it’s not always so easy or painstakingly
discernable. We must look around and
absorb everything around us. Sit down,
reflect, and take it all in—the sights, the sounds, the smells—the intangible implications
and symbols hovering all around us.
There is a specific line in Miranda’s song that recites how home
allows us to rediscover who we are: “You
leave home, you move on, and you do the best you can. I got lost in those old world and forgotten
who I am. I thought if I could touch
this place or feel it, this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it’s like I'm someone
else, I thought that maybe I could find myself…”
My
own personal experiences have taught me that the house that built me has not
only summoned sentimental memories but has also re-blossomed my very
identity, temperament, and my faith; and I’m sure all of you can attest to this
assertion.
While
it is not so much the physicality of
the homes that we were raised in, the people we were surrounded by—the role
models who significantly played a role in our upbringing and emergence into
this big old world—are whom have built us into our very being.
So
whenever you might feel down in the dumps, lost, forsaken, confused, or simply
in need of an inspiring reminder, take a little drive—or walk, or run—to the
house (or houses) that you grew up in.
And always remember the House—the people, the values, the lessons—that built
you. Remember who you are, and shall you
never be led astray.
~Elizabeth
The
following is a link to a lyric video of Miranda Lambert’s hit single:
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