My gift to myself yesterday was kayaking on my birthday when I really should have been editing my latest book. I passed my very favorite house on Lake Wylie. It is a little red house amongst huge, lavish mansions. This little red house is small and unobtrusive. One might overlook it, with its modest grounds, surrounded by imposing structures on all sides. Every time I pass it, I pause. Bobbing in the water, I wish I owned the little red house.
This time, the owner was on the dock, waving to her husband and children who were about to embark on an exciting motor boat ride. The children were on tubes in the water, rising and dipping on the swells of the waves. What a happy, carefree family!
"Is this your house?" I asked.
"Yes."
"It's my favorite house on the lake," I said.
"Why thank you! How nice of you to tell me! I will have to tell my husband. He built it."
I glanced at the man, with the children. All of them were laughing, the sun sparkling on the droplets of water spraying from the children in the water.
"That makes it even a more lovely house," I told her.
"Yes," she agreed, "It does."
The vision of the little red house and the joyful family stayed with me all day. It was a gift of God. I had known there was something special about that little home.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now
see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible
and filled with glory,
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Then you ask: "Would you ever consider selling that little red house?"
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