There are many things that I do not like and would rather not have to put up with. We all have a list of these. There are times that we make a conscious decision to put ourselves in a position where we have to deal with a dislike.
For example renting. We have been renting for ten years now and it can become tiring. As most of you may know we rent in Melbourne and it was a conscious choice on our part. We could own a home elsewhere but not anywhere near the McKinnon church. Thus, we have willingly put ourselves in the position to deal with this dislike. I should state that I really do not like renting and it is at times a great battle of contentment.
I go up and down with my contentment levels on this subject. There are times that I am very content and then there are days where I am ready to leave this stinking expensive city for the plains of Indiana just so that I can own a massive 12 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 4 living area house on 2 acres of land.
Thankfully God can and often does use our dislikes/short falls for his glory.
We just put in a veggie garden in the front yard of our house. I decided to put it there so when working in the garden we would be visible to any neighbours walking by. This decision has already helped in getting to the the lady across the street more closely. She is Greek and the Greeks around here love gardening. So as soon as she noticed that we were putting in a garden she was over offering veggies of all kinds and herbs that only have Greek names.
While she was showing the kids and I her garden she mentioned how we rent but still take care of the house. She was impressed that we did this as she said "it is not our house".
I was able to explain to her that as Christians we try to love our neighbours as Jesus says we should. Our landlord in a round-a-bout way is our neighbour and taking care of their house is a way to love them. I also said that God provided this house for us and so even if we don't own it we should still be thankful for his provision. A way we can show this thankfulness is by taking care of what he has given us. I think she was able to understand most of it and Lord willing he might use it in her life.
I suppose people on our streets and yours expect you to take care of your house if you own it. That's what you do. However it can say a bit more when you are renting and you take just as good care, or even better care of the house your living in compared to those around you. This shouldn't result in a pride war where we compare our lawns and gardens to see whose is the best. We should see it as an unexpected way to witness to others.
So renters take heart, God can use even your housing situation to help you be a light to your community. Something I had not really thought about before. Thanks Lord for another learning experience.
p.s. Don't forget to weed!
