Thursday, January 30, 2014

Finding a new home

Finding a new home can be a daunting task.  When a person spends as much money as they do on a home- they want to make sure it's the "right" one.  When we sold our home in Greeley I was happy that it sold so quickly.  I took pride in the home God had given us there and we had it looking great.  When we went to closing our Realtor asked the buyer if she was going to move into it right away.  She replied, "No, I'm going to do some painting and things first."  I tried not to be offended- but I couldn't help it.  This was my home- it was perfect.  Why would anyone want to change it?  I realize those ideas are somewhat ridiculous.  Of course it's not my home anymore- it's hers.  Of course she wants to make it "hers" by giving it her own personality and charm.  She wants to settle in until it's comfortable and right.

We have been without a true "home" for 3 months now.  I am so thankful for God's provision for temporary housing both in Colorado before we moved and now here in Indiana.  But, I get impatient.  I want my home right now.  I want it to be perfect as it is.  The thought of ripping out carpets, painting, tearing down walls, constructing fences or sheds is so daunting right now.  But, most of all, I want a place I can call my haven.  I want a wall I can look at and see my kids' faces through the years displayed.  I want a bed frame so my blankets don't slide off of us every single night.  My husband really wants waffles, but it's packed away somewhere.

John 14: 23 says, "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

How many of want Jesus walking through our door right now?  Either literal or figuratively?

If Jesus walked through the front door of our rental what would he see?  I would probably be embarrassed and rush around like Mary in the NT when Jesus went to visit her.  Instead of spending time with Him I would be busy making everything suitable for Him.

The same is true of our hearts, isn't it?  We try so hard to make our lives suitable for Jesus to live- when we fail to realize He's in the business of "flipping houses."

He buys a house and He spends everything He has on it.  But the house He buys- no one knows why.  It needs new..... well..... everything.  He will spend the rest of time working on that house.  It needs a new foundation, new walls, new paint, new floors, new roof- a new heart.  He doesn't want something that's already suitable.  He wants to change it- to make it His.  He wants His fingerprints all over it.  So when everything is said and done when people look at that house do you know what they will see?  HIM.

I am so awed that He desires to take me- an old fixer-upper and make it new.  I feel so unworthy.  But, I'm willing.

As we continue to look for that "perfect" home I know that ultimately there will be no perfect home this side of heaven.  I pray that as we begin to make that home "ours" I will remember the work He wants to do in me.

1 comment:

Bill and Mary Glidden said...

We were praying about your home that He has for you today= know it will be fantastic and worth the wait!

bee blessed
mary