To whom much is given, much is required.
Luke 12:48
Do you ever feel like you just want out, like you want to just start over with a clean slate? We've been living in this house for nearly 5 years and most days I just want to start over. I want to strip the house down to the bare bones and call a "re-do." I dream of moving to a new house where the walls aren't peeling and the kitchen is beautifully tiled, where the doors actually close and the floors hold in the heat. Where I feel comfortable inviting others over to share a meal. You see, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this house. It's been such a beautiful journey turing it into our own, but the reality is that it's just not my dream house. And because of this, I often focus on the flaws, focus on all the things I hate about living here, vs. seeing all the amazing beauty that we've brought to this once dilapidated property.
I'm currently reading Dani Johnson's "First Steps to Wealth" and this morning as I read through the chapter entitled "Prosper Where You're Planted", this phase struck a cord...
Look at what you have now. If you cannot be trusted with that, you will never get the house you are dreaming of!WOW. Talk about a reality check. There's so much truth in those words. I have SO MUCH. This house offers us everything that we need! We are so blessed to have a beautiful home filled with love and laughter. It's easy to let things go and say that "I'll do better next time. I'll take better care of the next house, because it'll be nicer." But the reality is, I'm here, NOW. I have a responsibility to take the best possible care of what I have now. I'm responsible for setting an example to my children that just because you don't "like" something, doesn't mean you don't take care of it!
I can't help but think, these are the values I strive every day to teach my children. Most days I'm taking away one or more of Caleb's toys because he's not playing with it properly or respectfully. I think sometimes as adults we don't translate these core values into our adult lives. But truly, if we can't be trusted with what we have....whether that be possessions in our home, job responsibilities, obligations/commitments to our friends and family...how can we ever be trusted with more?!
So, while I continue to dream of that beautiful brick farm house in the country, with a pristine kitchen, clawfoot tub, stunning hardwood floors, radiant heating, and a garden brimming with fresh vegetables...I will make every effort to care for this little blue house! To make it the most beautiful and functional home for our little family. I will wake up each day with positivity and see good in the little. I will invite others into this space and share meals together, creating memories together that will last a lifetime! I will prosper right here where I'm planted!!!