Well, it almost happened. Football almost came home.
That phrase ‘it’s coming’ home’ has been heard many times in the last month and at various points during recent years as the England Men struggled to win their first trophy since 1966 (note the England Women actually brought football home in 2022…).
Relating to the concept that football began in this country, that England is its home, the line is from a song by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner together with Ian Broudie of the band, The Lightning Seeds. Proclaiming the ‘three lions on the shirt’ and naming some of the famous World Cup winning team (an updated version in 1998 names manager, Gareth Southgate too) the song was first released in 1996 to coincide with the then European Championships held in England that year (the first major tournament hosted here since the heady days of ’66). The song has morphed in to various versions since then, including for the triumphant Lionesses two years ago.
In a world of such turmoil – with its appalling murders and attempted murders both here and elsewhere – it would have been good to have some good news. To have a lift for the country that many of us call home.
Previously in this blog, I’ve reflected on the concept of home. Is home the place where the heart is? Or what we might call a special place or a thin place? Is ‘home’ not about places at all – but about people?
There are occasionally times when something happens that makes us feel we have ‘come home’. Perhaps ‘home’ is more about when our mind and our spirit are at peace with our heart, and each is living with the company of God?
The story of the Prodigal Son is of course that classic description of ‘coming home’. Not just of a wayward adventurer returning to their family. But also the love of a parent waiting for that moment, actively looking for it and running out to welcome them. The elder son’s position in the home has been left unsettled and of course we know nothing of the mother and how deep her emotions will have been touched and stirred.
Homes are complex places – it is no wonder that at times they are difficult to find or come to.
The prodigal, though, did come home. And it is to home that each of us is invited to come. Invited to return, to belong, to live, to be.
God is waiting, actively looking and running out to welcome.
If you are in Devon (whether or not that is your home!) you are welcome to two Quiet Mornings coming up in the next few weeks. One (20 July in Exeter) is called ‘Home is where the heart is‘ and the other (1 August in Marldon, near Paignton) is on ‘Finding Stability in Times of Change‘.
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Details of my books can be found at richardfrostauthor.com