Being a retiree with a house and no mortgage, the search for a place to live isn’t something I’ve had much recent experience with. Until now that is. A dear friend from China has taken a professorship in Canada and is landing very soon. The only problem is, she has no place to stay. The search, therefore, for the “perfect” apartment, is on!

It is interesting the different responses we are receiving. Some owners don’t respond to my requests for more information. Others wait several days before responding. Some want to communicate via email, others via text or telephone. Some want to pre-screen, others want you to come right away and tour their apartments.

And then, once the tours begin, it is pretty easy to see that not all apartments are created equal. Some come with much heftier price tags than others, for example. Some include utilities and others don’t. Some are tiny and dark, others are bright and large. Some allow pets but no smoking, others say no pets, but smoking is permitted. Some are in the city, others in the countryside; some in apartment complexes, others in duplex/triplexes, and still others are in the basement of existing houses. Some have balconies, others yards, still others have no outdoor space whatsoever. And the list of differences could go on and on. 

The big problem is that our dear friend isn’t here to view the places herself; yet she has to have a lease signed before arriving in Canada. What if she doesn’t like the “perfect” place we find and put a lease on? Yes, we live in the modern era of video calls, but those never completely represent the place. Pictures can really beautify blemishes, but they can also make a very nice place seem “ordinary”…

And then, once we find the perfect place, the owner may or may not choose to rent to us, he or she may not approve our application, or maybe someone applied just ahead of us!

What to do? If only it were as simple as making one phone call…

The struggle reminds me that every one of us is seeking a home. Not a transient, temporary home, but a permanent one. Oh, some of us don’t realize this. We feel pretty “content” with our earthly homes; yet there is something inside of each of us that longs for our true home. The write of Hebrews expresses this very clearly: “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT)

I don’t know if we’ll find the “perfect” home for our friend arriving from China. We pray we will. But I do know that the drama involved with this search is completely unnecessary when it comes to the search for our forever home, the one that is yet to come. In fact, we don’t even have to apply for work permits or visas or permanent residencies, because: “… our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Phil. 3:20 ESV). Neither do we have to stress about the pre-screens or the tours. In fact, this permanent, perfect home is but a prayer away.

If you find yourself longing for this perfect home, why not consider giving your heart to Jesus? Don’t wait, do it now! If you’d like some help with this, we are here for you. Here are three simple ways to that permanent, perfect home:

1. You can view our Salvation video;
2. You can visit our Savior’s Call webpage, available in 10 different languages;
3. Or you can email us, and we’ll be happy to help you accept Jesus into your heart!

Don’t wait! Do it today!

In His love,
Lyn Chaffart
Associate Director, Moderator, Answers2Prayer Ministries