What's important

I'm feeling a little flat this evening. We went to view a house today which we thought we could possibly buy. On the internet it looked so perfect: right number of bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, big garden and potential to extend (and it even had shutters!). We haven't been looking too seriously for a new house because we were expecting to be in our current house for another year. However it is beginning to get close to the stamp duty threshold and we are concerned that it will get 'stuck' at that price whilst everything else continues to increase. 

So I hadn't been too fussed about new houses but suddenly got really excited about this one. But there must have been a catch, as it was on for much less than other houses with the same number of bedrooms. When we went to see it, the house was in an awful state. It is a probate house, where the owner had died. It was very eerie walking around, as the house had been left in the exact state it was in when she died; even chocolate was left out on the side.

To cut a long story short, it is very unlikely we will be able to offer on the house, as it doesn't even have central heating and needs complete rewiring, new windows etc. We wouldn't have enough left over for all of that and wouldn't be able to live elsewhere whilst it was being done. After several days of allowing my imagination to run wild, it has made me feel quite down.

However! If I really think hard about what I have, I know I am extremely privileged. I do really love the house we are in at the moment and am happy to stay until God brings about the right place for us

I am more sad to think about the poor lady who lived in the house we saw today. She had moved a bed into the sitting room and there was a commode in the corner. She had no proper heating and the beautiful sash windows were single glazed and drafty. There was a book about arthritis in the corner. The house was full of dust and clutter (although I suppose I don't know how long it had been unlived in). The garden hadn't been touched in a long time and was completely taken over by brambles. It makes me upset to think of an elderly lady who didn't have relatives who could help her keep her house in order or advise her on updating her heating. I know I am speculating a lot here but the house left me with such a desolate feeling.

I am so thankful that I have a house that is bursting with life and love. If may be full to the brim but it is a family home. I know I have to fight hard to win the battle against envy and materialism. It can be so enraging to go to house viewings and see other people there who you know are developers and will snap it up and do the work with no problems, adding value but not making the house their own. I know that house could be amazing but I am trying hard to let it go and trust God for something else.

Please, Lord, help me to see the bigger picture. Help me to view the world through your eyes. I know you provide for our every need. I thank you for my wonderful life and the people who make it so special. I pray for those who are lonely and vulnerable. Help them to find you and know your love and protection. Help me to have eyes to see the needs around me. Amen.