A Home in a House

Houses are made of materials designed and built by men whereas homes are made of people, built and blessed by God! A house may not be a home even to the dweller nor a home may not necessarily be a house. Houses are inorganic, physical, and materialistic while homes are organic, and comprise living people. A beautiful house never guarantees a beautiful home, but a beautiful home surely guarantees a beautiful house. People are more attracted to the houses today than the homes that should be in the houses. Only when people living in the house are happy, can there be a "home sweet home." Such is the home that one has to look for and long for.

Yesterday, an old classmate of mine posted a series of photos of his newly constructed beautiful house in the group. Many have immediately appreciated the beauty of the architectural design and its finishing. But what came into my mind first was the need for a homely environment in that beautiful house. In congratulating him on his newly constructed house I also send a note that I felt most genuinely as a message to all:

Congrats D___! Beautiful house! 

Wishing you and your family a blessed home in this beautiful house.

Houses are made of materials designed by men but homes are made of people blessed by God!

A Note of Exhortation

A beautiful home is where the family dwells in oneness and harmony (Ps. 133); where love prevails (1 Cor. 13); and righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17) reigns in every member of the family. In fact, such a family is only of God where Christ makes His home in the hearts of all (Eph. 3:17). 

May God bless you D___; your home and your house.

I for sure cannot say that I have a beautiful house as all my life I have been living in a nominal house; in my grand parent's house, or in my uncle's house, or in a hostel, and now in a rented house. To put it more plainly, I have never owned a house of my own, much less a beautiful one architecturally. The rented house my family now lives in is perhaps one of the oldest buildings in the community, and perhaps, a not-so-good-looking house in design or in construction quality for I have had many issues with the quality of the house construction.

Nonetheless, my family finds a home in this house. All my children are so happy living in this house. And many saints and relatives have also come to stay in this house. Despite its old looking outwardly, inside is full of brotherly love. In spite of an old building with furniture, doors, and windows, all broken up due to oldness, still, we all have been living happily in this house. Oftentimes, I test my children if we should shift to a better house elsewhere within the same rentals, but none of them ever agreed. They don't care for the house itself, they care for the lovely and peaceful atmosphere in the house. We have a home in this house!

Indeed, the Lord's presence has been the greatest blessing in this house which makes us feel at home. In fact, we all find a home in this house. Though it is a rented house, I have been living in and managing the house as though it is mine. I have been paying the rent regularly for over a decade now, but still, I never had the feeling that I am a stranger in this house. I feel very much at home so do all my family members. It is the Lord's blessing that brings love, peace, and joy to this house making it our home for now. I have no idea how long we have to be in this house, but as long as the Lord leads us to stay here we will follow the Lord's leading. Having said this, I am willing to follow the Lord's leading. Should He need us to move to another house, I will, it all depends on His leading.  But the fact is, we do have a home in this house and we all enjoy our home in this house.

In fact, as a family, we pray regularly for the Lord to bless us to be a godly family; a home of prayer, a home of fellowship, a home of the word of God, a home where many can know, believe and receive Christ. And a home where our family is a living testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Lord, bless our home to be a home sweet home with Christ as our Head and Christ who is all in all, in all of us.