08/10/2016
Once their were two houses. One would be known as "the American Dream Home", the other a house in need of much repair. The dream home was perfectly decorated, nothing missing nothing broken. It held within its walls all that most long for.....dreams of raising a "good" family,a long lasting marriage,great colleges amd careers,awesome vacations and maybe even a grandbaby or two as a fortified retirement fund sits in an account. The other home, well it had similar dreams. But to look at the house from the outside or inside, you might not want to live it. In fact one day a guest came to the house for the first time and said "oh! My wife would NEVER live in a house like this!" To be honest, sometimes those owners felt the same way. But as time went on the dream home started to show its "cracks and brokeness". Serious strife enter in the front door and that guest was allowed to stay. In fact they fed him,promoted him and were pretty proud of him. Meanwhile at the house of much repair a different guest was invited in. He was welcomed the same way, yet he brought precious gifts ....if they wanted them. The owners humbly took them. Day and night,moment after moment, season into season they cared and nurtured these gifts. Well, much time went by..the dream house is even more beautiful than ever...the other house still needs repair..but as time went on something greatly changed. The beautiful house was empty the other house was full. Empty of love,joy,peace and real lasting beauty. It was now known for its conflict,sadness and much regret. The other was known as a "cozy home". One that.all were welcome to share in its love,joy,peace and real lasting beauty. It still endured the hardships of life but with the gifts that the owners received from their Father, their heavenly Father, He showed them how to choose life over death. To choose light over darkness. To be Christ to others and see Christ in others. The funny thing is, the other home could have had the same results...it chose not too. When its all said and done,and we face the Lord...please let us be known as His and His alone! "Choose this day whom you will serve,as for me and my house,we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15