Howard Colby Ives on Homelessness
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When in Bahá'í history
In 1934 Howard Colby Ives, then staying for a time in Chicago, wrote to Doris McKay:
You ask me how we can accustom ourselves to homelessness. Our own vine and fig tree is a natural desire to the children of men; there is nothing reprehensible in this desire. Bahá’u’lláh has provided for this in His Law, dignifying the home and hospitality as a means of serving God. Nevertheless there are a few of us to whom He whispers in the ear 'Make My Home thy Mansion, boundless and holy.' 'Riswanea' and I often have a yearning for a permanent place to bestow ourselves and our few goods. Just as sure as this longing finds a place in our hearts we are moved again . . . ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's words 'Homeless and without rest' ring in my ears, when He is describing the attributes of the Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh. Rest assured that God does not take away an earthly home without providing a heavenly one right here on earth if we accept His Will with radiant acquiescence. . . . Rejoice, my beloved daughter, in the little home which Bahá’u’lláh has provided for you. If you are worthy He will move you into other homes and other hearts, and you will then rejoice again; for the bounty of a wider horizon of service has been given you; a greater freedom of spirit has been vouchsafed you and a few more chains of this world have been knocked from your limbs.
Source: Doris McKay, "Howard Colby Ives", In Memoriam, The Bahá’í World, vol. IX (1940–1944), p. 611.
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