CAN WE AFFORD IT?
Those who do not pay attention to their Real Estate Agent are those who pay no attention to the chief inspector when he says, the windows are bad, the roof needs replacing, the inner structure is not stable and the neighborhood is in transition which causes the schools to be not adequate.

Each time we bought and sold we always seemed to be fixing things for the buyer of the current home and moving into the next without an inspection. Down the road we discover many things that have to be taken care of and I always say; "We should have had an inspection, we can’t afford this!"

Our first home we bought, the drapes were always opened when we looked at it. A retaining wall surrounded the back yard which was wonderful, but lacked a fence separating the back from the front. The owner was to put up a fence! It was a wire fence only. Jim eventually built a fence that was closer to the front of the house. Our Veteran’s loan would only cover a certain amount so if we wanted the house, we had to put a clause in the contract that said we would purchase the drapes for $500.00. All was agreed upon, the seller was getting their price and we signed on the dotted line. Our first home! Our first lovely home!

With key in hand we walked into our first home and I closed the drapes. The front drapes closed easily. The side drapes only had one panel on each side and only covered 1/4th of the window on each side. $500.00 drapes that didn’t even fit! Within 6 months, we had new drapes!

Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us that "we shouldn’t store up treasures here on earth where moths can eat them and rust can destroy them and where thieves can break in and steal. We are to store up our treasures in heaven where none of these things can happen. Because wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be." Ask yourselves; "what do I treasure most!" Is it things I possess; those I love; or the gifts that only God can give?

We live in a world where possessions are the name of the game. You have heard; "Those with the most toy’s win!" Can we afford to have that kind of attitude? God has never said to us; "Love me, and I will give you the biggest house on the block!" God has said; "Delight yourselves in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart!" Psalms 37:4

Remember the Inspector? The one who says; the windows are bad, the roof needs replacing, the inner structure is not stable and the neighborhood is in transition. Our Inspector has looked at us and has seen all our faults. He has promised He would take our inadequacies when we accept His gift. We have looked and looked for just the right place to live and have ignored the perfect home offered to us.

We can’t afford to live in the grand house with all the finest furnishings, unless God lives there with us. We can’t afford to live in comfort unless we allow the Lord to put our name and address in His directory. We can’t afford to take a chance on the neighborhood we have chosen, unless it is on the street where God lives. Unless we accept the house that has already been paid for, we will never be able to afford what is best for us. The mansion has already been built. The rooms have already been reserved. We need to stop looking for a dream and accept the reality of God’s gift. Who is your Real Estate Agent? Jane Ann