When we think about the blessings that anchor our daily lives, physical spaces might not always be the first thing that comes to mind. Many people take homeownership for granted, but after years renting and parsonages, having a place that is truly your own feels nothing short of miraculous.
For a long time, our living situations and life circumstances. Between the early days of student housing, various rental properties, and living in parsonages, true permanence was a luxury we didn’t have. Now, parsonages and temporary housing serve a wonderful and necessary purpose, but living in them also comes with a unique set of challenges. You are always acutely aware that you are occupying someone else’s space. There are rules to follow, restrictions on what you can change. You don’t plant permanent roots.
Several years ago, however, life shifted in a way that finally opened the door for us to buy our own home. For the first time, we had a space where we could truly settle down. There was incredible freedom in knowing we could paint a wall whatever color we wanted, remodel a room to fit our lifestyle, and hang pictures wherever we pleased without needing anyone’s permission. Being able to set our own rules for our house—and not having to worry about someone else’s guidelines dictating how we lived—was a liberating milestone.
Of course, anyone who has ever owned property will tell you that the dream comes with a hefty dose of reality. Homeownership is certainly not without its challenges and unexpected expenses like the hailstorm that took out our roof.
Beyond the physical walls and the inevitable repair bills, we have been extraordinarily blessed with wonderful neighbors. Having kind, dependable people living nearby turns a piece of property into a true community.
When you weigh the leaky roofs and the weekend yard work against the peace of having a stable, secure sanctuary, it is an absolute win every single time. Today, I am thanking God for four walls, a solid roof over our heads, and the sweet, hard-earned blessing of calling a place home.
