I asked for a house and I got a temple.

Glass half empty: I live in a 1000 sqft condo, up a flight of stairs, surrounded on three sides by other people. I have no yard, and my porch view is of another condo complex. I want more children. My home has only two bedrooms.

Glass half full: I have a nice, clean, cool home to live in. The rent is very affordable. I get to take a hot shower every day, my water is clean, my fridge is full, and my family is happy and healthy.

I realize we all oscillate between wanting more and struggling to be satisfied, the above is an example of my daily internal monologue. You see, I have been dreaming of home owner ship for somewhere around two years now. We had even gone so far as to pre-qualify and try to take advantage of that ridiculous tax credit, much to no avail. It seems all my friends were able to buy homes, and I have found myself more often than not wallowing in self pity. With half prayers that go a little something like this...
"I work hard, I am an honest, faithful person. Is it too much to ask to just want a place to call my own, where I can plant some roots, and make a safe place for my family to grow?"
A reasonable request I have often thought to myself. The desire for a house is not bad in and of itself, I know, but lately the smallness of my dream has struck me as sad.
My husband and I are working our butts off day in and day out to OWN A HOME! Is that all? That is the biggest dream I can manage? That is what my entire life's work will amount to? Surely not! I think it is time to expand the vision.
With impaired vision, I ask for a house with a yard, and my loving Father points out He has already made me a Temple. I ask for friendly neighbors, and He reminds me that He dwells with me Himself. So instead of packing up moving boxes, I have a broom in head to sweep out the corners of my heart in preparation for a coming King. I want this bodily household to be a ready place for the Spirit to dwell. I want the curb appeal to be off the charts, and for all to feel welcome. I want the man of the house to be seated in His rightful place.

I know the chores are daily and may even get monotonous but today I have the fervor of a spring cleaning momma. Who is cleaning house with me?

1Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? you are not your own;"