The Big House

The following article is written by my friend Denna McDaniel who sends some of us her weekly column. This is such godly advice for all of us, that I wanted to share it with you who might not see it otherwise. It is a timely reminder for me and I love her for it; I love her Creator for it.

It’s all relative to what you think is big. How do you describe a large thing? First of all you must determine a starting point. I’ve heard people say that their home is just too small! Crazy as it seems, here in America we have no idea of what a small house truly looks like. Sad to say our “American Dream” of owning a home and several cars, TV’s, video games, tons of clothes and jewelry, plus…the list could fill pages, is too “big.” Peace is removed as we chase the things that will make us happy. Fear of friend’s disapproval drives some to strive to have more. More isn’t always better, it’s just more. So where do we say, “that’s all I need?”

About two years ago we moved to Florida and the six of us lived in a 38foot RV. The adventure was amazing, challenging and quite fruitful. However, the tight quarters showed me what I could live without. The tight quarters showed me how much I had put my joy in my stuff. The tight quarters taught me more than I could fill a football stadium. Initially we were to stay 2 months, and we’re still here almost 3 years later. We needed a bigger home. We needed a larger fridge. We needed to learn to be thankful and so the process continued and the blessings poured out. All that to say this, we are now in a new home, which is the “big house” in the RV park. It has been a year in the works and the details would fill an entire phonebook, therefore let’s say I’ve learned more through the trial than I would have if we moved in immediately. God does supply all our needs and sometimes even our wants. The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Each person’s home should have a welcome feeling as someone enters. Never make excuses where you’re explaining the not “up to standards” of the furniture or decorations. I’ve said it many times and here it goes again. If you are coming to see my house, give me two weeks, but if you’re interested in visiting with me the door is always open! Housing issues and people come down to pride. The biggest house on the block may not be the one filled with the most love. You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy. —Matthew 23:28 Watch the next time an unexpected visitor pops by. How do you handle the opportunity to be hospitable? (With many gated communities it may be next to impossible to “pop” over, but try to surprise a friend this week.) Be kindly affectionate to one another . . . , given to hospitality. —Romans 12:10,13

Yesterday my friend and neighbors Patti and Moriah invited me over to hear how they (mother and daughter) have learned to play a Barlow Girl song, “Never Alone.” As Patty played the piano, Moriah strummed the guitar. I silently sat in the corner wiping away tears of joy as we worshiped God. Graciously they were sharing a part of their lives they were excited about. I rejoiced! My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. —1 John 3:18 Simple hospitality in their RV was an enormous blessing! A house is a building that keeps people safe and dry, but a home is where your heart is kept. A home brings out your love. My hope is we can all bring out the love into our homes and build bridges instead of making barriers.

John 14:1-2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Jesus has told us in his Word that there is a beautiful place prepared for us in Heaven. God’s heavenly gifts are too great to imagine. His “Big House” will someday be the most amazing place we can fathom. No earthly treasures will compare to what is in store for those who believe. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.-Romans 3:18

The “big house” the multitude of “stuff” we accumulate can clutter our lives. Stop today and search your heart for the real joy that only comes from a relationship with Jesus. He will truly change you. I know through the “adventures” we have encountered in housing the past 2 years has given me a greater understanding of thankfulness. The journey to get into what I would have considered a very small home just a few years ago, brought me to the foot of the Cross pleading my case. A wonderful thing happened. God kept silent. What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!-Romans 9:14 In the silence I was able to see my own deceitful heart of “want” and not need. The things I thought I needed were wants. I had all I needed…Jesus. His light became brighter in my sorrow. Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.-Romans 9:18 No matter what comes your way, God is faithful to push us toward righteousness. The only excess I really need is more of the Holy Spirit in my life. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to be ever present in our lives and in our “Big Homes,” that’s all I need.

The Big House by Denna McDaniel 6/6/07 weekly column Positively Beautiful