House hunting

The past two weeks have been fairly quiet in terms of ministry. But interspersed between the quieter moments have been this search for a house that will be more appropriate for me as I grow older. Flights of fancy? It actually started just after my birthday in November - the thought that it would not be easy to walk up the stairs to my present house in time.......and also the news that several people I know, just a few years older have suffered broken bones through very minimal trauma. My present place is wonderfully near amenities and even the wet market. But as I bought it about twenty years ago, the steps were not an issue at all. In fact, the walk -up design is probably what gives it much character. Even now, my children have no problem at all and really love the present place! So they are pretty amused by their mother who seems to be concerned over what never crosses their minds at all. Isn't this one major example of the 'generation gap'?

Anyway, through my house hunting, I have grown more knowledgeable about the way people extend or redesign their houses. There is even a 'Japanese' style where the room has a raised platform as a bed! These days it is not easy to get a basic house in the more established areas. Many of the houses have already been altered in ways that might not appeal to others. Imagine having to pay for what you would tear down and redesign later!! I have seen many houses. I have compared designs and built up areas, and the house facades. I have learnt that people are still very picky about the house number, depending on their background. A number like 144 is a no no to Chinese; not to mention whether the house faces north, south, east or west and many other location factors!

I carry these thoughts with me as Advent approaches. Well, it is best not to hurry over such major decisions. It is always good to let things simmer a bit and not fall into impulsiveness. After all, Advent is a season of waiting. A much more important waiting than that of waiting for a suitable house to turn up on the market. Advent waiting is a sacred time, a time when I can realize again, in a deeper way, my true "home", one that moth and rust cannot destroy. Amen.