Home Sweet Home
“Unless the Lord builds the house;
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.”
Psalm 127:1
This Psalm has been of encouraging interest to me this week as I consider what my work is apart from the Lord: vain. Even when we try to do good things, if they are apart from God we are laboring for a cause that itself has no fulfillment in eternity. Even something as honorable as laboring for family or charity is ultimately in vain, for God must be first and foremost in our hearts and pursuits as Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Any labor or prospering that we experience as we pursue the Lord must be in His strength, according to His perfect will and for His glory.
This week Bobby and I have been looking at some possibilities of a new home, but after hours of searching via the web and rental office visits and dozens of phone calls later we have yet to find the place that is affordable and yet not in the center of a seedy neighborhood. I was a bit discouraged looking at both sides of our stand-still: too small of an apartment or too large of a rent. When we came home I remember this verse from a cross stitch on our dining room wall. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain…” Bobby and I quickly regained focus recognizing that God is the Provider. If we are not able to find more room, then our current home will work out somehow. The important thing for me to remember was that everything we do must begin and end with Him. He is the one who protects, provides, blesses and builds a home.
September 7th, 2005
Christa, when I was a new mother, we had a very small place, and as I had more children and moved into a bigger place, I realized what a blessing the smaller place was at the beginning of motherhood. A smaller place means less “stuff” to take care of, and more time for baby.
I hope you are feeling well, and that Baby Blakey is flourishing.
September 7th, 2005
AMEN to Kim!
Less Stuff = Less Hassle and Stress
I am glad we had a smaller apartment for our first year of marriage because it helped me stay motivated to not collect stuff. It is making the move way EASY as far as packing.
I totally understand how you feel, Christa, in every way. We are moving to the same size apt in Salinas that we have now in Jackson…but we’ll have to use the second bedroom as a nursery not an office. That means a desk in the dining room, which is not my idea of perfection. But this as well as many other things are lessons you and I are going to have to learn. Sacrifices that will PALE in comparison to the bundles of joy you and I carry!
We make do with what we have because God is giving us something much more VALUABLE to tend to.
Less stuff and less room means more time to care for our babies when they arrive!
September 7th, 2005
What a comfort to know that God’s provision is always the best. Whether it is tiny or massive, if God is building the house, it will be a place of blessing. We are praying that God will provide a larger place for you, but are trusting that whatever He provides will be best.
September 7th, 2005
Christa,
Sorry to hear that you have not found a bigger home for you, Bobby, and baby. We will keep praying for you.
When Bobby was a baby we lived in a dumpy little house that had numerous problems. The only air conditioning was a window unit in the living room but if you turned it on you couldn’t run anything else without blowing a fuse. We weren’t very satisfied there but the Lord blessed and Bobby doesn’t even remember ever living there.
I am glad you were encouraged by the sripture. You can be sure that as you seek Him He will provide for you and often in ways you would have never expected.
Keep seeking and you will find. We love you and look forward to what the Lord is going to do.
September 7th, 2005
Kim- Thank you so much for your comment. It is good to know that others enjoyed a smaller space with less “stuff” to worry about. I think that I will remember your advice if we stay of move.
Dawn- I agree, less stuff, less stress! Thanks for reminding me that it is no sacrifice to trust in the God of the universe…it is a joy.
Mom and Dad- I like the story of Bobby’s first home!:) Your words and prayers are both such an encouragement to me today. Thanks especially for the reminder that if we seek Him we are sure to find Him, whether the place is tiny or massive. In that perspective I know that I just want to be where He wants us.