Curb Appeal Matters

In the community I live in, all of the yards are pristine -- nicely edged, cut, bushes trimmed, no garage doors open. Every home has curb appeal. It’s a requirement here in this 55+ community.

I've been a R/E Estate Broker for 18 years and I know curb appeal and first impressions matter. A run-down looking property detracts buyers, but a property with a welcoming smile on its face aka fresh coat of paint, landscaping enhanced and tidy, and clean appearance causes buyers to want to know more about that property. Let’s face it, first impressions matter in homes and in us! We spend extra time in front of the mirror before a first date and we care about how we dress for a job interview.

For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes while standing in the street or sitting in the car, just beyond the curb. The initial drive-by would determine whether or not buyers would want to see the inside of the house. To get that buyer in the door, the seller spent hours, even days, seeding new grass, planting flowers, painting their front door, weeding and cleaning up the yard. If the home didn’t appeal from the curb, buyers moved on to the next house. Curb appeal was always the single most important piece of the home sale puzzle.

Maybe this post will help you market your home....if you're wanting to, but foremost, this post is to express the importance of our own personal "curb appeal". What is it about us that draws people to us or detracts people away from us? Is our disposition cranky, and dismal and is our attitude "cloudy" and "glass half empty"? Do we look exhausted and worried? Do we look like we could care less about what others think about us? Or, do we look act faith-filled, optimistic, "sunny" and "glass full of joy"?

What is that "first impression" others get of us? If we really want to convey the love of God, His peace that passes understanding, the graciousness and appeal of the Holy Spirit, then our "curb appeal" matters. We were created in the image of God, and God sure doesn't make junk. God sees us as a masterpiece. Do others see us as God's masterpiece?

Sure the world focuses on what people look like on the outside. God focuses on what people look like on the inside. When we focus on what's beautiful on the inside, we will exude that beauty -- that "curb appeal" on the outside.

Maybe, this post is two-fold -- our home's curb appeal and our curb appeal as the "home of the Holy Spirit" who dwells in us. "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. How's that for realizing what our curb appeal should be. We are not just houses, but we are temples of Almighty God -- how could our curb appeal be less than our BEST?

Do You See What I See?

Have you ever looked for something that was right in front of you all the time? I could be wearing my glasses, and be looking for my glasses. I could be looking for my keys and they could be right on the counter in front of me. We could be looking for the rain to stop, and miss the rainbow God sent. We could be taken with the brilliance of the star and miss the baby in the manger. We could be so focused on so many details and miss the ONE that is the guest of honor. Remember Martha in the Bible who was so busy with the details of entertaining, making sure the meal was fit for a king, but she missed the opportunity to sit at the feet of THE KING.

But, even more so, we could be missing God when He dwells right here inside us. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 He could be pointing out all kinds of wonders and miracles and glimpses of heaven to us and we’re so busy that we miss His signals. Think about it. This Christmas, we've heard and sung so many songs about Him being with us, and we've heard and read many scriptures about Him being with us, and we’ve seen so many evidences of His presence, yet, just maybe….we’re still NOT seeing Him.

What if we REALLY tuned into Emmanuel? What if we sincerely realized we are never alone, because God IS with us?

Let me share with you how I recognize Him in my daily walk. When I’m with my family, I see Him in the twinkling eyes of my grandchildren and in the tenderheartedness of my children as they patiently and devotedly train and instruct their children.

Yesterday, I saw God in my youngest grandson as he did his daily chores. I was so impressed with his attention to the details of being sure just the right amount of feed was in the feeders for his goats, and just the right amount of a different kind of feed for his horse and, and yet another kind for his donkey. I saw him give his horse a Pop Tart to hide the medicine he gave him. I saw him carefully pull out that big wheelbarrow to the barnyard and pick up all the animals’ droppings and then push that wheelbarrow all the way to the pasture. He was so attentive to his responsibilities.

I thought about God’s attention to the details of our lives. He is so a part of our lives that we can rest assured nothing goes unnoticed by Him. God is with us. Just like anyone who would be a passenger in our car, or a guest at our dinner table….. we can talk to Him. We can talk to Him about any, and everything. We can thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that we may find. I know He is with me, so I'm sensitive to wanting to please Him. And I’ve found that, because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away, and I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU! Do you see what I see?

Curb Appeal Matters

Having been a Real Estate Broker for over 16 years, I know that curb appeal matters. A rundown looking property detracts buyers, whereas a property that has an inviting and welcoming smile on its face aka fresh coat of paint, landscaping enhanced and tidy, clean appearance causes buyers to want to know more about that property. Let’s face it, first impressions matter. We care about how we dress for a job interview, and we spent extra time in front of the mirror before that first date. When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, too.

The term “curb appeal” comes from real estate sales and home design. For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes when they first drive up to the home just beyond the curb. That first impression determines whether or not buyers want to see the inside of the house.

To get that buyer in the door, the seller spent hours and days on seeding new grass, planting flowers, painting their front door, weeding and cleaning up the yard. If the home didn’t appeal from the curb, buyers moved on to the next house.

Maybe this post is to help you market your home....if you're wanting to, but foremost, I wanted to compare that important idea of curb appeal to you and I. What is OUR curb appeal? What is it about us that draws people to us or detracts people away from us?

Is our disposition grumpy, cranky, dismal? Is our attitude "cloudy" and "glass half empty"? Do we look exhausted and worried? Does our appearance look like we could care less about what others think about us?

What is that "first impression" others get of us? If we really want to convey the love of God, His peace that passes understanding, the graciousness and appeal of the Holy Spirit, then OUR "curb appeal" matters. We were created in the image of God, and God sure doesn't make junk. God sees us as a masterpiece. Do others see us as God's masterpiece?

1 Samuel 16:7 says "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Sure, the world focuses on what people look like on the outside. God focuses on what people look like on the inside. When we focus on what's beautiful on the inside, we will exude that beauty -- that "curb appeal" on the outside.

Maybe, this post is two-fold -- curb appeal on our homes and curb appeal on the "home of the Holy Spirit" who dwells in us. "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. How's that for realizing what our curb appeal should be. We are not just houses, but we are temples of Almighty God -- how could our curb appeal be less than our BEST?

Temple Tuesday Was Just That

Tuesday of Holy Week could be called "Temple Tuesday," because in Matthew 21 we read how Jesus spent this day of Holy Week at the temple -- teaching and using parables to make his points. He was constantly confronted by religious leaders. They challenged his authority to teach the people, and lamblasted him with unreasonable theological questions. He answered them so successfully that "no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions".

I had a sweet Temple Tuesday day because 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Nancy Crow and I enjoyed a birthday lunch celebrating a dear friend, Sharon Ray at Wild Fork. We talked a lot about the faithfulness of God, the many ways He has blessed us and how we are here on this earth -- not to be a part of the naysayers, the cynics and those who seem compelled to live on the side of frustration, anger, and fear, but to be a part of the solution -- living lives of complete trust in God because FATHER knows best! I loved it when our waiter, gave a private birthday concert to Sharon. He said we "made his day" when we were leaving, and He made ours.

Then tonight, my Life Group (12 of us) went to see "Miracles From Heaven". Yesterday, I posted that I would give my review of the film. Let's just say....it would be well worth it to see it sometime during this Holy Week. For sure you will see our God Who is alive and well in the lives and hearts of His people, and how He is still in the miracle working business. In contrast to all the "noise" and "violence" in this world, as I watched that movie, I thought about the "safe place" we are in when we are in the presence of God.

A friend in my community went to see it earlier today. She called me to say "This movie should be seen be everyone in the world. There is no way they won't believe in God and His miracles if they see it. But be sure to bring tissues." And I wholeheartedly agree. Whether you’re a believer, non-believer, or agnostic, you will find it hard to hold back some tears at various points throughout the story. The fact that it's a true story heightens those emotions.

Much of what draws out the emotion in us is Jennifer Garner's character, the mother of the little girl. She revealed such warmth and vulnerability and determination. Her faith and her family's faith was tested to the core. Faith was the most crucial component of the movie -- the need for it and the validation of it, but most of all the "stuff" we go through....could very well be for changing lives around us.

Our Life Group came out of the movie, exhilarated, emotionally drained by the ups and downs of the story line, and praising God for yet another affirmation that "Nothing is Impossible With God". Do yourself a favor -- see this movie. It could easily have been one of those illustrated sermons that Jesus gave in the temple in explaining what trust in God can do. Aren't you so glad you get to be alive to see the visuals played out in movies and real life of God's wonder-working power? I know I am.