If someone were to tread across my threshold this very minute then I am sure the curious soul might draw the wrong conclusion. Lest anyone think I have resorted to strong drink, be it known that liquor store boxes are strong and are the perfect size for moving.Yep. We're on the road again. Moving.
When our landlord rang the doorbell that day looking downcast, we knew the news was not going to be good. He was apologetic about asking us to move but the house was going to be used as part of a wage agreement with his new hired farmhand.
Although our sheepish landlord told us we had been model tenants, this did nothing to soften the blow. It was not the first time this had happened. Twice before we had started to put down roots, only to be told that we had to move because the property had been sold.
So this time around we decided that we were probably in fairly decent shape financially and ready to approach the bank. We did. They said okay and now we are up to our ears in building our new home.
Although I am happy about this and am excited when I get to pick out colours and styles and sizes, I can't help thinking about the fleeting aspect of it all. I find solace in Christ's words of assurance,though, that there is a prepared place for each of us in heaven. It will not be a temporary location that may be sold if the landlord has a change of heart; it will be a house with many rooms where we will dwell with Christ forever.
I treasure that assurance. I pray that as I focus on the leading of the Holy Spirit and realize that everything on this earth is temporary, I won't get hung up on what might have been or what I don't have.
I want to realize what I
will have one day when Christ calls me home.In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2
(A portion of this post was adapted from a devotional I had published in The Upper Room in 2001. That was another time that we were greeted by another downcast landlord!)
