Rome Home

A reflection on my last day in Rome.

When did Rome start to feel like home?

I’m standing at the top of the metro steps, watching the blinking sign go from orange to green. We have one minute until it leaves. I look at my friend and with a simple nod we both know the answer. “Send it!”

Running down the steps it’s us and the locals now. The only ones who know the difference a few seconds will make. 10 minutes for the next train will be an eternity. One two jump, one two jump, one two jump, run, doors close. A smile and laughter. We are Romans!

What have you learned during your time here in Rome? After almost one year living in this city it’s a question I have received. The simple answer - Rome has made me brave with Jesus.

I remember the first day I moved to Rome in September. I got off the plane knowing one word in Italian, “Ciao!" I figured I could get by. And I imagined I was moving to a small Tuscan town like they show in the movies. Picturing quaint little piazzas and cobblestone streets. But I moved to Roma. To say I was a little shocked moving from a small suburban town to the big city is an understatement.

Rome is big, it’s fast, messy, aggressive, it’s beautiful, historic, and culturally rich, it’s diverse, it’s fun and it’s deep. And it has changed me.

My first day alone in the city I decided it would be a fun idea to ride the metro, pick a random stop to get off, and explore the area. It sounded romantic in my imagination. The reality was that I spent the entire day riding the metro getting on and off at different stops, confused and afraid about what part of the neighborhood I was in, and ended the day disappointed and back at home.

But I woke up the next day and reflected on my adventure. It wasn’t a failure because I did it with Jesus. He was with me every step of the way and I experienced it with Him. Laughing about my naive ideas of the city and funny moments from the day. As well as all the lessons I had learned about how to use the metro and a few Italian words I practiced. The day was a success because I did it with Him.

In Christ I would spend the entire year trying, failing, succeeding and learning. Knowing that His love for me could never change, I could be brave.

I would try speaking Italian when I didn’t know the words and sound like a complete fool.

I asked questions about history and the church when I felt like I should know the answer.

I loved deep and hard with students. Even knowing our time was just for a season.

I walked into a Crossfit gym and signed up for a class. Making deep and lasting friendships.

I sent the text to meet up with a friend from church.

I ate all off the gluten and dairy and experienced fireworks from flavors.

I wrote the blog.

I posted the story.

I bought the dress.

I ran for the metro.

I said what I was feeling.

I sent it.

Urban dictionary says this phrase means “just do it, to say yes to something, don’t think about it, have confidence and just Send it!”

It became a common phrase with my friends this year. “You’re in Roma, send it!”

But here’s what I say, “You’re in Christ, send it!”