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Monday, January 31, 2011

This Old House


I was out driving around the back roads here, taking pictures, when I came across this old, abandoned house. I noticed there were still curtains in the upstairs window.
It made me sad to see the house falling down, when I thought of the people that had called this home. How many kids ran around that yard? What about the woman who had cleaned that house and spent time in the kitchen making meals? Who built this house with dreams for the future?
Then I thought about my own house and all the time I invest in it. How often do I think about things I would like to do to it?
Someday my house and the things in it will be gone or falling down too. None of those things will have any meaning to me. It's a good lesson on priorities. While it's important to take good care of the things God has given me, it can't take top priority. I need to keep God in His place and do what He asks, including maintaining the relationships He has blessed me with!

"But do not store up for yourself treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. Instead store up your treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal."

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the comparision, its true we build treasures here but they are only temporal!!!

Justabeachkat said...

A very nice reminder Mari! Isn't it wonderful how seeing one thing gives us a lesson. I love how our God uses things and people all the time to teach us.

Hugs,
Kat

Butterfly Works said...

Mari, thanks for such an inspiring post....yes all this will fade away and it's important that we keep our focus on the One we will eternity with.....

Hugs

Brenda said...

Awesome analogy. My treasure is in heaven and I'm so grateful!

Karin said...

Excellent photo of an interesting old house! Even my own earthly dwelling is getting old and rickety and yes, my treasures are in heaven. When folks move into our care centres it is so hard for many to leave all they've worked so hard for and accumulated over their lifetime to now just live in a small room with a minimal amount of furniture! Rich are those who majored on their relationships - with God and with family and friends!

Unknown said...

The house definitely holds many memories and stories. Loved the reminder, Mari.

Cherdecor said...

I was just talking on the phone with my friend tonight about this very thing. What a nice post!

Colleen said...

Dear Mari, this really spoke to me today. We moved (completely our own choice) a couple of months ago from a house and area I absolutely loved and I never thought it would affect me but I have been struggling with missing this other house (I'm ashamed to even say that!:) to the point of depression, even though as I said, I wanted to move!

It has totally caught me off guard but I think the Lord has been trying to teach me to put things in their proper place and I was giving that house far too high a place in my heart. Anyway this really touched me today so thank you.

Have a lovely day!

Mari said...

*loves*

;) said...

Sad picture... but good story and thoughts ;)

Pat said...

What a wonderful post. How often we put the importance of what we have on the earth, when indeed -they are temporary.
Love one another and know that one day our heavenly home will outshine and out last them all!
Beautiful picture!

LuAnn said...

This is the day the Lord has made - let us rejoice and be glad in it. Great picture. My aunt and uncle had a farm and on their property across from the barn was an old house. WE use to play house in it. And we also imagined where they had their furniture and who lived there.

Unknown said...

I love that house Mari. I wonder about how it was played and loved in. Very sweet. I think you should sneak in and get the curtains : )

Kathy said...

Love the house! You have an eye for taking pictures that create the untold story.

Rae said...

It does seem sad seeing an old house like that being neglected. One house we can count on never being neglected is the one being prepared for us in heaven. It will a glorious permanent home.

Brooke said...

what a great statement! there is a sad old house on the way to our church, but i'd never considered that neglected lives are the same.

Rebekah said...

I love old houses and thinking about the what life was like when the house was in its prime. But I like how you tied in the scripture verse. It is so true
Oh, and I havent visited your site in a while and at first I thought the snow flakes on your page were glitches with my computer- lol

Connie said...

You were very close to my house. You should have stoped in for coffee/tea.

Kari said...

thanks for the reminder Mari. we also have to be checking where we are storing our treasures.

Lynn said...

Yeah, this house definitely has a story....if only those walls could talk. Great pic.

Raise Them Up said...

I'm always drawn to old houses, too, with the same kinds of thoughts. But you are so right. When all is said and done, these things will fall away and only what matters will remain. Great reminder. :)

How much snow did you end up getting?

Deborah said...

Hi...visiting your blog for the first time, and I was touched by this post. I love to meet people, every one has a story to tell, just like this house does if it could speak to us :)

Kalli said...

I like this post! This house looks so familar to me. Where did you find it? I think we live pretty close to eachother. Also Thanks for the comment on my post about Walmart. I am now a follow of your 365 and this blog!