Today, I'm reminded of how blessed I am.
It started with a picture that was posted on Facebook of this perfect, white farmhouse, long gravel drive, gorgeous sunset in the background, and wildflowers for miles.
"Picture perfect"!
My first thought was, "Wow! I'd love to live there! It's perfect!"
Then God whispered,
"What's wrong with the house I gave you?"
That got me! I needed that. There is nothing wrong with my house, and there are a million things I'd change about it. Does that make sense?
If I'd had the time, money, opportunity, and space to build my dream house, would I be happier? Truly?
No, I'd still find things I did wrong, or want to change. It would never be the perfect house or property.
But, I can work on the house I have, and the home I'm creating. My home is my family. The people that I share this house with. None of us are perfect. Some things about us will never change. Just like this old house. We just keep working on what we can on the bad days, and enjoy the blessings on the good days.
We have room to work, grow, and play. We're safe and warm. There's food, hot water, electric, and comfy seats.
I just needed to be reminded of how blessed I really am.
I have a hardworking husband, loud kids, muddy animals, and sticky floors.
We squall and bicker, we hug and kiss. We laugh, and love, and cry, and pray.
We work hard daily on a house that will never be perfect. We have unfinished projects, and things that just have to wait.
Our floors don't match, and I hate that they're fake wood. The rooms are too small. The yard is so rocky. The basement is old and creepy. The closets are wonky. The drive needs new gravel and the walls need painted.
But, there are tons of windows to let in the sun and breeze. The animals and kids have room to run and play. I can watch the backyard while I'm in the kitchen. I can enjoy my coffee and read while sitting at the bar. I can relax with my family and snuggle together. We can have cook-outs, parties, and sit around the fire pit. I have my garden and my chickens. I can holler at my neighbor if I need anything.
A simple life, isn't always simple, and it will never be perfect.
So, it's nice to see the aesthetically pleasing photos of "the perfect place", those magazine worthy homesteads, but don't forget to appreciate the place you're at.
I'll probably always have a love/hate relationship with my house, but I'll appreciate it a little more today and be thankful I have a home!
Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.