What you need, and what you NEED!

A new friend asked me what I've learned through my experience. "Oh, a lot of things," I trailed off as I threw my head back against the black leather cushion and stared blankly at the whirring ceiling fan. "Like what?" she insisted. Uhhh! I didn't actually expect her to force a list of brilliant points and proofs, but I knew I had enough ammo to get the gunshow started, so I commenced shooting. I admitted that my journey wasn't actually as tough as I had expected. My worst fears prior to stepping out as a vagabond were boredom and cops, neither of which have peeked their head out from around a corner yet. I proposed that my experience was one-of-a-kind, not being a fully homeless adventure because I had the security of a job and plenty of money. I just slept differently from other people. A short pause, then my mind flinched and stalled.

Like a the sound of gunfire in a suburb, the realization startled me. My eyes widened and my head lifted from the couch as I aimed for one last shot of explaining with dead-on accuracy the most valuable point of all. Genuine needs. I've learned that there are essential needs for life, but they can come in many forms. My need for shelter was met in full force, just not in the way most people would choose. The fact is, my entire vagabondish journey has had no psychological effect on me because one imperative need has been fully satisfied and is now overflowing with abundance. It's the need for social stability which shines through loving and being loved by friends, family, and Jesus Christ. Life is much more than a career, food, and a place to live, whatever those may look like. My original hypothesis was that a stable den provides a sense of belonging and security, but now I know that I was aiming at the wrong target. Stability amongst other social beings is what we NEED. Without it, there's no encouragement, forgiveness, or love.