Broken Homes

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I hate having rental property.  It has it’s tax benefits, but I have realized over the years that I just am too soft-hearted to be a landlord.  Same thing with my wife.  We are just too trusting of others and want to think they will do the right thing because that is what we would do.

I never rented an apartment or house where I did not leave it in at least as good a shape as when I moved in or better.  Unfortunately, that is not the case with a lot of renters.  It is not “theirs” so they use it and abuse it.

Broken doors, walls, fixtures, appliances, tile, a ruined yard, etc., etc.  The list is literally overwhelming.  How do we fix all that?  We don’t have the money to do it and have limited knowledge.  My wife actually had some great wisdom about this.  We simply fix one thing at a time.

Relationships are like that too.  Broken relationships are often so broken that we feel overwhelmed.  We don’t have the resources or even the energy to fix it.

Principle 1.  Don’t let your house or your relationship get to the point of being so broken that you consider walking away.  Had things been fixed along the way, it would not be so overwhelming.

Principle 2.  If the house or the relationship is totally messed up, fix it one day at a time, one step at a time.  Remember the question, “How do you eat an elephant?”  One bite at a time.  Same thing here.  Break down the overwhelming picture into bite size manageable tasks and do them.

Principle 3.  When things like houses and relationships are totally broken, it takes time to fix them.  It won’t happen overnight.  Give your house and your relationship the time needed to put things back together again.

Principle 4.  You may need some outside help.  Get professionals to do the heavy lifting and fix the things that are over your head.  Whether it be the plumber, a trusted friend, or a family counselor, don’t be too proud to ask for help.  Nobody can fix everything on their own.

Principle 5.  Don’t lose your faith.  Problems like this can drain you physically, mentally, and financially.  Keep it in perspective.  This too shall pass, and trust God to guide you. He is great at mending fences, by the way…physical and relational.  Seek Him first, and He will show you the way through the jungle you face.

My hope for you is that as you face the problems of this day, you take a moment and reflect on one thing.  God is our landlord.  We are here temporarily.  Be a good steward of what He has entrusted you with.  Take care of yourself, your relationship with Him and with others, and take care of what God gives you charge over….your home, your car, your job.  All of these are gifts.  Treat them like precious gifts, because they are.

Seek to be a peacemaker and a home builder.  If we keep God at the foundation, Christ as the Cornerstone, and the Holy Spirit as our Guide, we will restore what the enemy has stolen.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

One Response to “Broken Homes”

  1. Tee says:

    beautifully said