Blog

The “Perfect” House

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: May 2, 2017

Category: Daily Devotional

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 (NRSV)

At least as far back as my high school years I have dreamed of having my perfect house built. The problem, other than having a champagne taste and a beer budget, has been that my “perfect” house keeps changing. It is not the same today as it was then.

On Saturday mornings after bringing in The Ledger, the first thing I do is to turn to the “Home” section and look for the house plan. I am very disappointed when there is not a house plan in that weekly section. When I have had time to kill in stores I have often looked through house plan books identifying certain features that I really like and some I may never have previously considered. There are others that I dislike for the layout, the design or size. Yes, my perfect house is elusive.

As I have been guests in your homes I have appreciated aspects of your homes that I would like included in my perfect house. I especially liked a butler’s pantry connecting the kitchen with the formal dining room. Another home featured a microwave oven in a drawer that I thought was a very good idea. Certainly my perfect house would be large and well-designed with top of the line appliances to satisfy one of my favorite hobbies … cooking! In another home I really appreciated the home theater and the combination laundry and craft room. My perfect home would have lots of built-ins for displaying my books and collections. In another home I especially like the display of artwork on a wall. While I know open concept is the “in” thing, people who appreciate and value art need wall space for showcasing it. In another home I marveled at the size of the master bathroom with a very large shower. At least one fireplace is a must. A porch and a deck are very important for enjoying the outdoors and for informal entertaining. Another home featured a “spiritual retreat” that I might likely combine with a home office or library. See why my perfect home is a dream home!

My present home is one that I purchased from former church members. It is a comfortable home, but it is not my perfect home. There were a number of features that satisfied some of my top priorities while there were others that readily wanted to change or improve. That work is still in process.

Of those who have had their “perfect” homes constructed, almost always I will hear them say that they would do something different if they could turn the clock back. Some would have changed the arrangement or invested more money in a particular feature or changed something else.

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established. Just as our ideas of the “perfect” house change, so we are to continue to grow in wisdom and understanding. Through that process we learn what is truly important and what we really need.

Prayer

O God, continue to help us grow in wisdom so that we know what is really important as we continue on our journey to our eternal home. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.