The Heart at home

December 7, 2025

Jason Bonnicksen

The Heart at home

365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 7

Home is where the heart is. Sure is. There’s a BIG truth in that sentiment. That emotion has hit me hard numerous times today alone, and in every instance, almost out of nowhere. It’s been kind of a “home-sweet-home” kind of day so far.

This Sunday started off the same as every Sunday does—getting ready for church and leading service. Sunday service is always the highlight of my week. I love preaching and teaching for sure; but more so, I adore gathering with my congregation. When I’m with them, my heart feels at home.

I haven’t always been able to say that if I’m fully honest. While I have always been thankful to God for every place He’s sent us, I can say with all my being my heart is at home here. For the most part, I felt that way in Nebraska too, but something is different about this place. This – place….

If you didn’t know where that was, you might not know where I’m referring to. If you guessed “Comfrey” you’d be partially right. Comfrey, though, doesn’t fully encapsulate that gravity of that sentiment for me. For me, “this place” is Minnesota. My heart has swelled with emotions of “Minnesota home” all day. The first was with my congregation.

We like to think of our churches as the buildings were we go to worship. That’s kinda true, but in all reality, the church is the people, and the people of New Hope Lutheran are my kind of people. In them I see my parents, my cousins and aunts and uncles.

When I visit our oldest living member, and I look at LaDonna, I see my Aunt Carol starring back at me. They look the same, and they kinda sound the same too. LaDonna reminds me that my heart is at home. She’s not alone. When I shake hands, get (and give) high fives, and bump elbows with my congregation after service, it’s like I’m greeting friends. And they are. I was able to say that in Nebraska too; but these people are something special, because for me, my heart feels at home with them. I thank God for that, and for them. 

Well… after worship we celebrated our annual December potluck. That potluck couldn’t have been more Minnesotan (and Lutheran) too. Potlucks are always fun, IMHO. The foods vary regionally depending on where you’re in the world. But there’s something unique about church potlucks in Minnesota.

A salad can be anything here, even if it has whipped cream, marshmallows, or candy folded within. Swedish meatballs (or some variant), and goulash have to be on the menu. Homemade buns of course are a staple; and heaven forbit if there aren’t more desserts than anything else on the table.

Speaking of which, I don’t know who brought the heavenly goodness, but one of my favorites was on the table this morning: a “salad.” That “salad” ain’t really a salad, but we’re in Minnesota, so ya know…. To me, it’s more like a nostalgic, fluffy treat. It’s a sweet, creamy, retro dish that’s made up of cooked rice, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed pineapple, and vanilla. When I put that delicious sweet goodness in my mouth, the flavors of home-sweet-home danced across my tongue. I almost looked toward heaven and thanked the Lord. That was number two; number three came on it’s heels.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:21

It’s Christmastime, and that means decorating the tree. We began doing that yesterday but didn’t finish. So this afternoon we set out to do that very thing. As we began to place the ornaments, my heart started to flood with memories: to my first Christmas in 1992 with my wife; to all those spent with our kids; and this year— a reminder of last year with our kids all grown and gone.

One ornament my wife placed caught my eye and caused me to tear up. My mom bought two handcrafted ornaments for my wife and I for our first Christmas. Mom bought them, then mailed them to Maine to adorn our first Christmas tree. That was such a beautiful gift. Both are special, but says Minnesota more than the other: an ornament shaped like the state of Minnesota, painted white with a loon. A saw that ornament, and for the third time today, my heart felt at home.

I thank God for “home.” Home can be anywhere, but for me, home is here—back in Minnesota where everything for us began. Jesus said that wherever your treasure is, there the desires of you heart will be also. My treasure is with the Lord and wherever He places me (on this earth). I'm just thankful, for this time in my life, my heart is back home.

“Thank you, God for bringing my wife and I ‘home.’ You cause my heart to swell here with emotions of gratitude and joy. I feel complete; for my heart is at home. Amen.”

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