A Date with Reality
By Judy Burrows
Since we’re facing a cross-country move, dates out with my husband have become more practical lately. We’ve found ourselves spending weekends finding stuff to sell and making decisions on what to keep and what to toss.
This led to an unexpected date with reality.
Someone wanted to buy my mother’s handicap ramp. Our “date” that day was to deliver the ramp to a house-bound widow an hour away. As we drove, we talked about details of our upcoming move and where we might live. We dreamed about what our new place might look like.
Upon arriving at her humble home, however, all our dreams took on a new outlook.
It was a rainy night and her present ramp was in bad shape. She explained how she had slipped on it many times.
Then with an endearing pride, she described how her late husband had made it for her many years ago. He had done a great job, but our humid climate had been hard on the wooden structure. “If he were still living,” she said, “it would still be spotless and strong.”
As Jim and I drove home after the sale we asked ourselves, “Should we even have taken her money?”
Suddenly all the details we were talking about on the ride up didn’t seem as important. We realized that whatever housing situation we chose in our new location it would be safer and stronger than that precious widow’s deteriorating home.
That was a humbling revelation. While we might want certain perks in a new home, we don’t need that much.
I am so glad we met that sweet widow that day. She reminded us of what is really important. A house should be a shelter over our heads, not a way to show off to others.
I was also reminded that while our marriage may not be “spotless,” it is strong. And the fact that I get to live with my husband in whatever house we end up choosing is what will make it a home.
And that's a reality I'm happy to live with.
Are you holding a grudge in your marriage? Dave Wilson talks ways to let it go.
The Good Stuff: Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Action Points: Have you ever taken the time to look at all you have instead of all you don’t have? What do you possess that is beyond monetary value?
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