COTTAGE OR CASTLE?

We are all so different--and yet in many ways so similar.  Not everyone loves to be in their house, but it is a balm to my soul.   My new to me home is over 100 years old---and it has the ambiences and detriments of a house that old.  One bathroom is less than 2 years old and has a large walk in shower.  The other bath has the original tub and It is small--which leads to a cozy feel.  The windows are original--but their insulating factor is negligible.  I prefer the smaller house---I have lived in a large house and learned the lesson of upkeep.  If we do not take care of the material things in our possession--they will deteriorate.  I believe we are told from dust we come and to dust we return---especially with time and wear and no upkeep.

I enjoy watching the documentaries of the castles in Europe.  Blame it on my OCD, but all I can see is who in the world wants to take care of all of that?  Even if you are financially able to "hire" it done, someone has to be on constant vigil  for what needs to be done and arranging and supervising the work.  Spending my time and energy taking care of a castle, especially in this season of life, is NOT how I want to spend my days.  AND those castles of old---still have old house problems.  You can end up in a constant state of remodel and update if your start down that slippery slope.  It is a lot like the road system in Texas---in a constant state of construction or repair.  I know there are readers who live in really large houses---castles by the world's standards and there was a time in my life (house full of children) that I felt I needed the space too.  As the house emptied and life began to shrink---it was quickly evident I was not interested in large and grand, but small and cozy had become my cup of tea.  You may be of my mind set, or you may love your large home and all the space and luxury it affords.   Both of them require maintenance and upkeep---especially if you are like me and cleanliness is just below Godliness in my priorities.  

WHERE in the world am I going with this ramble?  No matter if you prefer a castle or a cottage---they both require upkeep.  If I do not stay on top of the dust and Hero's dog hair, I soon will have a dusty dog hair carpet covering these original wood floors.  Without the proper care our houses can disintegrate into a sad state.  So it is with our hearts and souls.  Unless we spend time on their maintenance and upkeep---they will take on the characteristics of the world surrounding them.  If we ingest a steady diet of junk, what do we expect our hearts and souls to look like?  I asked myself this question---

How much time am I spending pursuing growing in my faith?

  How much time am I giving to God?

What am I feeding my soul and heart?

It causes me to cringe when I remember what I am charged with versus what I spend my day doing.  Surely the upkeep of my soul and heart are much more important than the things of this world?  Heavy thinking today---all from the concept of a cottage or a castle.

"But seek first the kingdom of God

and His righteousness"

Matthew 6:33