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      When I was younger, I heard a little story that went like this:  Watch the kids coming home from school on a day that there has been a rain.  Observe which kids are very careful to avoid stepping into mud puddles and which kids simple jump into them to see what kind of splash they are able to make.  The kids who avoid the puddles have (1) had to pay for their own shoes, or (2) appreciate what their parents had to pay for those shoes.

     I wonder if the same could apply today for housing?  Today in various areas of the country there are HUD housing programs, housing choice voucher programs, rural rental assistant programs, transitional living programs for homeless youth, continuum of care homeless assistance programs, adjustable-rate mortgage insurance, and probably many other types of programs.  First off, don’t get me wrong.  These programs serve a housing assistance need in many areas and are very much apricated by many people.  However, have you ever gone into areas of your community and noticed that some people who live in housing provided under these programs are very (I’ll say) lax about their care for the property.

     Many times you see lawns unkept, screens missing, windows broken out, doors broken or even missing, and many other things.  Does this show little appreciation what has been provided for them under these programs that are often financially supported by others who do not have the need or meet the qualifications to such housing?  What would be your opinion of such a person who would live under these conditions and not demonstrate a truly respectful attitude toward their home and the programs that made available to them what they are able to enjoy?

     Once you have gotten this mental image into your head think about the topic on a much larger scale.  Consider this beautiful planet Earth that we call home.  What is our attitude and how do we demonstrate your appreciation for it?

     In 2020 it was reported that over 237 million recreation visits were made to the national parks in the United States alone.  Sadly many of these visitors left the parks in worse condition than they found them.  You have probably heard of such situations even within your local community parks.  Some areas report that it costs millions in repairs and clean-up to parks for vandalism, graffiti, and trash that is left by individuals and families that visit.  This does not include the damage that can be done by “homeless communities” that are set-up in some park areas.

     Also consider the pollution that is done on a constant daily basis.  The air, rivers, and soil that become almost unbearable to live with.  And in our parks consider the damage and destruction that is done to the wildlife in the area because of our carelessness or even intentional abuse of the planet’s resources? 

     If you were the owner of such property where such damage and abuse was being done, what would you do to your tenants?  Would you simply “look the other way” or hope that they would do better someday?  Or would you take action to evict them from the premises and let a more appreciative tenant take care of your property? 

     We should not overlook the fact that we are mere temporary residents upon this planet and soon it’s owner (our Creator) is going to take the action necessary to protect and preserve his valuable property.  For those people who claim to believe that the bible is the Word of God, they should take heed to its warning at Revelation 11:18.  As many translations state that soon God will destroy those who destroy (or are ruining) the earth.

     The problem is that many do not feel they are obligated to show proper appreciation for what they have been given to enjoy and they don’t mind ruining it for others who would deeply appreciate it.  That seems to be the problem for many because we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Leave your footprint

unnoticed in the soil."