The Joys of Home Ownership

I know it is part of the American dream to own a home, but sometimes it can be a nightmare.  I’m not just talking about the economy turning homes upside down so they are barely worth the down-payment and not the whopping mortgage.  I’m talking about the little things that can happen, the small surprises:  dry rot, broken pipes, faulty electrical wiring, leaky rooves, dying trees swaying in the wind and ready to fall through your living room. 

My children are learning about these things. 

One recently had to call in a plumber because the toilets weren’t working.   No minor problem, that’s for sure.  Cha-ching!  Another sent pictures of a recent DIY project that created a new opportunity for a professional.  As my son-in-law and grandson traversed the attic to feed wire inside a wall (for cosmetic reasons), my son-in-law slipped and fell through the living room ceiling.  Fortunately, he got caught between two supports and dangled there until a ladder could be found.  Cha-ching!  Cha-ching.   They also learned a while back while doing a DIY bathroom remodel that the original builder thought it would be a good idea to put bathroom tile directly onto sheetrock.  Oh, dear.  Cha-ching!

Mom Edith, my sweet mother-in-law, always said it was the ”emergency expenses” that always seemed to take the biggest bite out of the budget.  We learned the truth of that statement when we had a carpenter replace some lattice around the lower deck.  He discovered dry rot.  Two decks (upper and lower) and the side of the house later, we had the problem licked.  Cha-ching!  Cha-ching!  CHAAA-CHING! 

There are always spiritual lessons in these situations.

It’s the hidden things that can cause the greatest damage.  Hence, it’s wise to examine our lives frequently and make sure we’re not developing bad habits that pull us away from our first love:  Jesus Christ.

When we have to go into the darkness, we need to be equipped with a flashlight (the Holy Spirit) and step carefully onto support beams (Scripture) so you don’t take a plunge that can break your heart. 

Don’t be afraid to cry out for help when you need it.  God hears our prayers.

Be sure to have a savings account ready.  Keep reading the Bible and storing up God’s words.  He knows who we are, what we need and He loves us. Every day is a new beginning, and each day we spend with Him is better than a thousand trying to do life in our own strength.