Irene was not kind to my sister in upstate NY. She lost an investment property and came very close to losing her own home. She won't get power until tomorrow night, making for a very difficult week. She bought a generator for $800 and it takes $40 a day to keep her food from going bad. She hauls water 75 ft to the bathrooms. She has been in my prayers all week.
On the flip side, Irene had been very kind to me. I had power within six hours and my yard took a few hours to clean up. My goal this week was to paint two coats on my house trim. This weekend my husband and I set the goal to stain the front of the house and completed that today.
My sister and I spent two very different weeks in our homes. The first thing my sister said after Irene passed on was that she is thankful she still has her home, powerless as it may be, when so many others don't. Her attitude of gratitude made me stop and readjust the attitude with which I approached our huge undertaking with our house this weekend. My husband and I put on music, arranged our respective ladders, and began our task of taking care for our home. We did so, lovingly, instead of with regret that we couldn't be at the beach or bike riding.
My sister and I both this week realized how lucky we are to have a home to take care of, both in good and difficult times. God puts wonderful things in our lives in the forms of our homes, cars, campers, motorcycles, etc. as well as relationships with our families and friends. He expects us to exercise great care with each one. We must be careful to not break things or hearts. We must be conscious of updating our properties and keeping those close to us reminded of how we feel about them.
I used to feel guilty about the wonderful life I have been given. I used feel I didn't deserve the beautiful things and people I have in my life, but now I realize they are not prizes. They are responsibilities given to me by God to be taken care of and maintained just as my sister and I have spent the week caring for our homes.
Tomorrow, being Labor Day, pick up, clean up, or wash up one thing around your home. Make it a "labor of love" and then pause and give thanks. I wish all my dear readers a great holiday tomorrow.
And so, as another day goes by, I thank God for all He has placed in my life and ask Him to remind me of the care and upkeep needed to maintain things and hearts alike, and….I have written.
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