Is it just me, or is there a social stigma associated with living in a tent?
As I went to the polling place to vote in the Maine midterm elections last week, the poll workers asked me for my physical address. When I told them that I live in a tent, they were visibly concerned for me.
They encouraged me to get in touch with the Emmaus Shelter in town. As they saw it, no one who lives in a tent does so because things are going well.
My sister Nicole’s friends jokingly like to call the camping they do for vacation “playing homeless”.
They would rather enjoy their vacation in a beautiful hotel. They just can’t understand why anyone would want to spend their days off from work in a tent! And yet, many do!
As for me, even though I have a good paying job, I have several good reasons to be back in my tent again.
Great Reasons to Tent
- My “home” is paid off! (and cost me less than $100!)
- When you need to “cut the budget” to accomplish a big goal, getting rid of your rent payment is a great way to make it happen
- I have a safe place to camp, with a Christian Family, not far from where I work
- The weather’s good this time of year
- Others pay hundreds of dollars to come camp in the Mount Desert Island area for a week! And I have the opportunity to do it all summer!
- No matter how my day goes at work, when I get home, I’m on vacation
- This is a great chance to strengthen my skills, to live anywhere in the world He may lead when the “season” changes
Living in a Tent is Biblical
And for those of you who care about living a life according to the Bible, living in tents is mentioned in the Bible… a lot!
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in tents. A tent… something like this:. (Hebrews 11:9)
So did the Recabites, for generations. (Jeremiah 35)
In fact, God had a tent built for Himself so that he could dwell among His people. (2 Samuel 7:4-7)
Blessings not Recognized
As the time drew near to make the decision about where to live beyond May 31st, it seems to me that the Holy Spirit changed my attitude about living in a tent over the summer. He helped me to see it as a gift and a blessing… a chance to meet with God, and listen to His voice.
Yes, there are rainy nights from time to time. But the tent has stayed dry inside. And it’s true: other nights, it can be cold outside. However, I found a beautiful, warm blanket for when the temperature drops.
At the same time, I have been blessed by the moonlight, fireflies and stars outside my window. I’ve seen turkeys, finches, a porcupine and baby deer. I wake up to the birds singing as the sun slowly rises.
What do you think about living in a tent? Let us know by adding a comment below:
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