When I was in my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography program, we were always looking for the deepest, most thought-provoking art series.  My most compelling piece was visually my worst piece, but it was also my most life-altering piece.  My project was an interview with a woman, let’s call her Sharon, whom I found at the grocery store.  She was walking up to strangers, asking if they knew Jesus, and she was expressing her love for Him.  She struck me as an extremely passionate and genuine person.  Being as shy as I was at the time, I kept shopping.  But I kept feeling a pull to go to her and ask her about her story.  I would glance at her, and then continue shopping.  After a few more glances, I decided to take the leap!  And what I learned was a valuable lesson I want to pass on.

Meeting a Homeless Woman

Sharon was homeless for awhile.  She lived on the streets and had very, very little to her name.  She met Jesus after being set up with the Salvation Army and volunteering as a bell ringer over the Christmas holiday.  Her story has faded in my mind some, as it has been almost 10 years since meeting with her for my project, but her lesson will forever hold in my memory.

I interviewed her in her home, which made me extremely nervous since I was going to a home of a person I just met.  If we are being completely honest, I assumed it would be messy.  I considered the possibility that there may be drug paraphernalia lying around.  I was sure she probably lived in a shady place.  All of these are extremely stereotypical judgements, and I totally knew this at the time as well.  But coming from a small town, only seeing homeless people in movies, I had no idea what to expect.  So I expected the worst.

Surprise, Surprise…

I followed her to her home.  She lived in a nice apartment complex, but as I exited the car, I made sure to lock my doors, just in case, after grabbing my equipment.  And what happened next floored me.  We walked in, and her home was immaculate!  She didn’t have high end furnishing, but she had very nice-looking furniture.  Her home was very clean, everything she owned was in its place, and every item was in great condition!  You would have thought you walked into an interior designer’s home.  I could not get over it!  

Take Care of What You Have

She told me that God had blessed her with enough money to buy what she had.  She didn’t have a lot, but she knew what she did have she had to take care of.  Not because she wouldn’t have money to replace it, but because these were God’s items.  God gave her this home, and it deserved to be clean. God gave her couches, so they needed to look nice.  God gave her a computer, so she was going to treat that computer well.  

Sharon told me that we need to have respect for the items we own because they are God’s.  He has given them to us and if we don’t take care of them, He can take them away.  She didn’t explain this to me out of fear that He might strip her of everything she owned but out of an appreciation for the things He entrusted her with.  After interviewing her and being reminded of how she had lost everything, I took a look around with a new understanding of her home.

Blessings and Excellence

God had given this to her, no doubt.  She loved God, appreciate His gifts, and show Him respect by keeping a clean and organized home.  She explained that God desires excellence from us in every area.  If we can’t show excellence, then we don’t need it in our lives.  She told me that when she cleans her kitchen, she works slowly and purposefully.  She cleans with a mindset of excellence as well as if she is cleaning her Savior’s home.  I had never considered this idea before.

I left her home in awe.  She was not the person I had imagined.  Yes, God was teaching me to be open to those living different lives than ours.  He was teaching me to be accepting and loving of those who live in world we could never imagine stepping into.  But He was also demonstrating that I am privileged and was taking for granted the life He had given me.  As I opened my own apartment door, the appearance of clutter overwhelmed me.  The image of my computer lying on the ground disgusted me.  The dirty dishes in the sink haunted me.  

Learning From Day to Day

Do I still have dirty dishes?  Of course.  But I have a greater understanding of the home that I live in.  It is not mine.  This is God’s home.  I am merely a visitor.  Would I treat a visitor’s home like I treat my own?  No….so why do I?  My home is filled with items I do not need or even use.  Sometimes my computer still lies on the floor, and sometimes my home is not as clean as it should be.  But whenever my clutter piles up or something I own breaks, I am reminded of Sharon and her home of excellence.  I am reminded to take care of everything God has given me.  I am reminded of the responsibility that God has given me by providing me with shelter and to strive for excellence in how I maintain my household.  Today this reminder expands to my body, my relationships, and my soul.  

So keep a home of excellence and show God every day how much you appreciate your gifts from Him.  He deserves the thanks.

Lord Jesus,

You are so good to me.  You have given me so many things that I

take for granted every day.  Lord, help me to see the items in my life

with a new clarity.  Help me to keep my home the way you

desire me to take care of it.  Allow me to see my home with You in it.

When I am washing the sink, remind me I am washing it for You.  

When I am picking up, remind me that I am serving you.  Thank you

for your graciousness in my life.  You have given Your all,

and I see it.

In Your loving Name,

Amen