Thanks to the Home and Garden Channel, HGTV to you devotees, I have been informed that my 25 year old home needs to be redone. The things I like aren't trendy this year. The knobs on my bathroom sink aren't in style anymore. The hot and cold water still work, isn't that what the are supposed to do? I hadn't realized the flowers I have had for the past eight years are wrong-when they said fine in shady areas, thinking it gets dark every night I bought them. And forgot to tell them not to grow so big I have to cut them back or replant them every year because of sunlight. It took me almost a dozen color samples when I repainted the house to get the right green, which still wasn't the same on the house as it was on the color chart. Now what am I going to do with all these little paint cans, that don't have enough to cover anything? And not what I really want?
I didn't know that red, white, and blue weren't trendy this year. Did anyone think to advise Betsy Ross when she knitted the first flag? And as our floor gets worn-it is distressed barn wood, and now I'm told that it looks old, which is what we wanted when we bought it, did I miss something? My blinds are wrong, my windows somehow let light shine in on sunny days, and my sprinklers aren't on a timer. And when it comes to the garage, that is where I draw the line-it is for cars and motorcycles, not for all the storage of all the trendy junk that was stylish last year, but out of style this year. You got a problem with Snap On, Harbor Freight, and motorcycle posters-stay out!
It seems anyone can be an expert, given their own TV show. So I would like to have my own HGTV show. Which would show these pleasure palaces that these trendy HGTV junkies have, in one year, when the paint peels, the rugs need cleaning, the sofa has towels on it to cover soda stains, and the car is rusty from sitting out all year in the rain. A highlight each week would be where the exterminators come and empty all the stuff in the garage into a dumpster, from contamination from mice and rats. I wondered where that smell came from? I would have a special segment on men finally telling their petulant wives to stop spending, "I hate laminates," and how they can have talent to make so much money, but have such poor taste in women. And then finding out the house is worth a lot less when she leaves to find another sugar daddy in real estate. And a new show can start, call it the REPO channel. But the series would be based on the houses these self proclaimed experts live in. I want to show the worn out, leaky toilet that the buff plummer who never gets his hands wet uses every day. How the paint is peeling in the interior decorator's kitchen. How she can't find the dining room table because so much junk is piled on it. And how her K-Mart inflatable sofa is still trendy, in the office, which is really a third bedroom, but could be used as a walk in closet, which she was told when she bought the place. How the home has become more office than home. I would parade them in front of the color charts at Home Depot, and tell her, "pick out a soothing color for the living room that goes with your faded blue shag carpet." How to choose a color to match the spilled latte around the kitchen counter. Which towing service will remove my dead car for the least amount of money, while I still make payments? And watch as when they have to spend their own money, see trends change. How to make lawn furniture look good next to the entertainment center. How to cover stains with towels. How to decorate using Charger memorabilia, and switch to the Yankees for the summer. Personal taste, or lack of it, becoming more-personal. And how why she never entertains friends at home anymore, since both her cars, including the one that does run take up all the parking. And how if she had invested her HOA fees in the stock market, she could have moved to a nicer place-and started the whole process all over again. She will be receiving the full impact of her wonderful advice to others. She will have gone from a home owner, to being owned by her home.
Sadly many live their lives like this. It is all about appearance, and impressing your friends, who you secretly hate because they have one upped you. Pete Maravich once said "Money will by a fine dog, but only love will make it wag its tail." To paraphrase, "money will by a fine house, but only love will make it a home." Try that one on for size. For within the worn walls of our home, are precious memories, and reminders of good times. Of Christmas parties, and leaking Triumphs in the driveway. Crooked blinds from the cat looking through them. Cabinets still held shut with rubber bands, so the cat stays out. Paint faded, floors showing age, but showing how the house became a home. A place where the presence of God is felt, and people feel welcomed. Where you are welcomed as you are. And when you leave, feel better than when you arrived. Where time spent is important, and times spent with God making the difference. Just like the song, "Give me that old time religion," it's good enough for me.
Open your home today, and let God welcome others into it. Sit on the old sofa, and share His blessings. Look at the growth marks of the kids on the walls, and make your guest welcome, welcome enough they can go to the refrigerator themselves, or take off their shoes and stretch out on the sofa. Let your theme for the house be love, and let God decorate it.
And for a good laugh, put on HGTV, and laugh, but really pity those who think that love, joy, and peace are found in new paint, and trendy colors. Jesus' love has never gone out of style, and you are always welcome at His house. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the time you have with Him. And ask yourself, "if He came to your house, would He be impressed with your decorating, or would He be more comfortable with being welcomed into your home?" Let Him into your life, and heart today. Start making new memories now. Sure beats reruns on HGTV!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
