Worst House on the Block

I’m not the type to look back too much, but I was in the neighborhood and so I decided to drive by my childhood home (not pictured above). Built by my dad in the early 60’s, it was a mid century beauty with a sunken living room and a spot in the front yard where we planted our Christmas tree one year. I couldn’t wait to see it again. 

Driving up the street I was admiring how all the other houses on the block had been kept up nicely with manicured lawns and renovations that had kept the mid century modern vibe. Arriving at my childhood home, I had to double check the address. I couldn’t believe it! What happened to this place? 

It looked abandoned. The roof was sagging and the overgrown landscaping was blocking the entire front of the house hiding the magnificent stonework I knew was there. As a final insult, hung on the front door was a “controversial” flag normally associated with terrorists!  How can this be? It was quite literally the worst house on the block. I sat there astonished in disbelief and a little angry. I wished I hadn’t seen it at all. My storybook memories of the place I had lived were now marred by this horrific reality. 

I kept thinking about it as we drove off. I’m so tired of everything breaking down!  Not just our houses, but our societies, our families, our country, and even our own bodies. Aren’t you?  This wasn’t God’s original design! Sin and the effects of it, have caused all this disintegration and I’m sick of it! 

When I finished my rant, I was slightly encouraged when I remembered what many have said before:  “For followers of Christ, this life is the worst it’s going to get. But for those who reject Christ, this life is the best it’s going to get.”  

Armed with a slightly better perspective, I am able to look forward. And, although this current world is literally the worst house on the block, I am waiting faithfully and expectantly for His grand redesign and restoration of all things. How about you? Are you ready? 

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…  “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:1, 4-5 NKJV