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Decorated and furnished

I have to admit it I am a fan, okay I’ll tell the real truth, I’m a fanatic about HGTV. I love practically all of the shows about decorating, buying and selling homes. I sit in rapt attention as the experts tell the homeowners what upgrades they need to do to sell their homes. I am absolutely fascinated with the decorating chops of Candice Olsen, my favorite designer of all times. Before HGTV I used to buy Architectural Digest just to stare and salivate over the beautiful homes showcased in that magazine.

When selling one’s home all of the experts agree that it is harder to sell a home that is empty, devoid of all furnishings. If the home is tastefully decorated buyers can come in and imagine how their own family might live there. Empty homes appear cold and uninviting. In order to attract a higher price, especially on very high priced homes, the real estate agent may suggest that the seller engage an expert to stage the home. The transformation of these staged homes is astounding. Instead of an empty shell they become these warm family friendly places that get buyers salivating over the thought of living in that space.

As I was reading the Bible this morning the thought came to me. God wants for us to attract people to him? He wants us to invite people into our lives, our hearts, His home, to let them have a look around. When they see what God has done for us they are to think if her life was such a shambles or empty and God could refashion it to be like this, can’t God do the same for me? God wants us to be furnished in every way with grace, mercy compassion, goodness, generosity and kindness. God didn’t plan for us to be empty, cold and uninviting. Dear God help me to be thoroughly furnished so that I can fulfill your purposes of attracting people to Your kingdom.

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