Sarah Van Beveren
About the Author

Sarah is just an ordinary girl who organizes her thoughts with written words. She puts pen to paper to work through the mess and seek out His truth.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. giving up the belief that THINGS matter has been hard for me. made easier by my husband’s change in employment that meant deep pay cuts….i was unhappy about that leg of the journey when i was on it, but so grateful for it now. i needed that change of perspective. during the leanest months, i gave up looking at catalogs and window shopping. and it’s a huge reason i stay away from pinterest now – stirs up feelings of discontent when i have EVERYTHING i need and more.

  2. Amen. Even when you own a home, you can still be tempted to get trapped in the forever cycle of ‘upgrades’. Our world is built on upgrades. We upgrade our phone, our computer, our kitchen, our car, our life. But what I’ve realized over the past several years is that the upgrade materially is pointless compared to a downgrade in surrender to almighty God. And when we surrender our ‘stuff’ it is never the start of lack, it is the start of an abundance of joy. We’ve got the chipped paint and unfinished stairs too – and I often think, “we should fix that”… but then I remember why I’m here. It’s not to feel comfortable. It’s not to seek that thrill of the next material upgrade. It’s to live a life of surrender and ultimately, sacrifice. True freedom comes when the chains of consumerism are broken. Love this, such truth. Be blessed!

  3. This is such a good reminder. Sometimes the abundance we have (a mess of voices and needs) is not the abundance we want. I’m working on being thankful for this time, when it all seems to come at once, and accepting the life I’ve been given. Peace to you, Sarah.

  4. Going through a similar situation myself. It’s so hard to live in the moment not wishing away the day for a better place. God continues to teach me to turn toward Him for the security of home. But I know that in this transition there are so many life lessons for me to learn. And I pray that I don’t miss one.

    • “It’s so hard to live in the moment not wishing away the day for a better place.”

      Right?? We’re so slow to learn, but praise God that we’re learning! Thanks for reading along.

  5. Thanks for the great reminder!
    I’ve moved a lot over my married years…rentals, company housing that varied from old farm houses with termite swarms and well water, to a lovely home with an in ground pool, and owning a few too…or rather having a mortgage for a few! One house was a “dream house” – and the day we moved in I made my husband promise we’d never move… We were gone within a year…our marriage in shambles as we served the house more than God and he worked his butt off to keep our heads barely above water. Hard lesson learned.
    The past 2 years we’ve been in a downsized mode, living below our means was the goal. It got crowded when our daughter/SIL asked to move in with their 4 kids…our grandkids…but we said yes, and have made many memories. Now we are preparing for a move, and my heart races at the possibilities of what the next house will be…knowing that my HOME is in heaven, and I’m a sojourner until then…
    Blessings…

  6. Thank you so much. I am wondering the timing of this post. I am wondering if we move, will we rent. Thank you for this insight and be blessed 🙂

  7. As long as you love where you are at and decorate with love and joy…it will be the most beautiful home where ever you are.

  8. As an Active Duty Army Wife I can say that everywhere we’ve lived is home … it may not be the home we OWN but it is still home. It’s where God has us for that time — this world is not my home and each place has had it’s challenges (no, not every set of quarters is the same, has the same size windows or is arranged the same!) but it also has it’s blessings.

  9. Thanks for this attitude adjustment. We just bought a home and I keep thinking everything has to be just perfect before I place it on the walls. Your post reminded me that imperfection is character. And God is still working on my imperfections. So this week, I WILL put those pots on the wall and however misaligned they are, they will add character to my home away from HOME. And everytime I walk in the kitchen and look at them, I will be reminded of God’s blessings because I have those imperfect pots to put on my wall. God bless.

  10. Sarah,

    Timely post! I have been in a downsize-get rid of stuff mode for years. I don’t like materialism with all its trappings & debt! Just waiting for the day when I can go to my Heavenly home & really enjoy my precious savior!

  11. Wow, thanks for reminding me (as I have learned your same lesson the very, very hard way) that my house is not what matters. We have struggled greatly in regards to frequent moves. I was sure that when we finally owned our own home again, security would be within my grasp. Now that we might be facing upheaval again, the house would be gone. But my grasp of God\’s great grace wil be stronger

  12. What a beautiful way of describing a life that’s eerily similar to mine. I’m an American married to a New Zealander, we live and work overseas in Central Asia, and we have never owned our own home, anywhere in the world. We’re facing another 6-month furlough to have our third baby, and we’ll be living in a rented house furnished for us (sight unseeen!) by loving, caring friends. Our other furloughs we’ve house-sat or rented furnished places, so for the first time I have no control over our home-leave house, and it’s testing my faith! THANKFULNESS is the ticket, I’m finding, to contentment. But boy, some days it’s hard! Thank you for sharing… I feel better knowing I have company!

  13. love the line: “What if I was reckless and gave thanks for my empty kitchen, carpeted stairs, and chipping paint? ” Imagine… reckless thanks… sounds wonderful. 🙂

    In our culture, where it is so easy to be swept away with “house pride”, your thoughtful words are an excellent reminder that it’s not just where we live, but whom we live in.