As I write these words that I hope will be an encouragement, I am hit with the very harsh reality of acceptance. Acceptance that I am a current struggler of the topic I have put forward to write about. Acceptance that I have not always been the poster child for hope when I am a naturally discontent person. Acceptance that I have no home of my own anymore.

I always thought that as a 27-year-old fast approaching her 30s that I’d have a place to myself. After being in my parents' nest all my life, I craved the independence I never got and as an introvert, I relished the idea of living alone, coming home to an empty house, pouring a glass of wine and watching Netflix to unwind from the day. But sometimes, even just the thought of being able to use the bathroom whenever I want and not have to share it with someone who takes 45 minutes in the shower would have been ideal... But rent prices inflated, my bank account remained the same and I decided had to get a roommate in a studio apartment and give up my space and freedom once again. I would sometimes envy those who lived alone, wishing that I could have that too, but alas I couldn’t afford it.

Living with others can come with the unique challenges of navigating their quirks, their messiness (or compulsive overbearing neatness..) let alone the lack of freedom to come and go and live as you please.

Today, I had a conversation with my driver. My driver is someone who gets up at 5 am only to finish his last trip around 10 pm. After 2 months of driving me around, once we were done exchanging the usual car ride pleasantries, he happened to mention that he lives in an accommodation with 6 other guys and pays 3000dhs to do so. Naturally, I was absolutely shocked…He was a father of a daughter back in his home country and had to share a tiny space with 6 other people.

When I heard what he had to say, I looked at my own life, and wondered why I complain. I in my continuous state of discontentment and complaint have said to people that I don’t like sharing a studio apartment with a roommate. Today I was humbled into counting my blessings. There will always be someone worse off than you.

So if you’re like me, a 20 or 30-something living with friends, or living with family or roommates, know that you are not alone.

Know that you have the best place in store for you in Heaven, and the trivial things of this world don’t really matter.

Whether you are in a 7-bedroom mansion, or in a bed space, know that your riches (or lack of riches) are temporary and one day you will have a home that will extend beyond every realm.

John 14:2-3

"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Save intentionally towards getting your own place. No matter how many months or years it takes

Now for a practical tip: If you can, save whatever you can (a little amount you set aside every month) towards getting your own place so that one day you can say that you pulled yourself out of that circumstance and didn’t stay in a place of discontentment.

Have patience and perspective: Things can feel really stagnant at times, but remember that most people don’t have their ideal situation figured out by a certain age, and don’t ever get into the downward spiral of comparison. Don’t compare yourselves to others your age who may have the home you want.

As someone who also struggles with a lack of contentment and comparison, know that comparison is the thief of joy.

Look for opportunities to grow: Is there an opportunity to increase your income through side gigs, freelancing, or even a new job that offers better pay? Perhaps you can also upskill yourself by doing short courses, etc. so that you can get a better job and better pay which will eventually allow you to get your own place.

Pray that God would give you the desires of your heart: While we work hard and save towards our dream house, lets also pray that God would multiply our finances so that we can afford our own places. The Bible clearly says that we should ask and we will receive, and Matthew chapter 6 talks about how our Father knows what we need before we ask him. So let’s be bold enough to ask Him, for He already knows the desire of our hearts and wants to give His children good gifts.

In any case, it's better to live in a bed space than to live on the streets, so let us count our blessings for the roofs over our heads, while humbly asking God to bless us with more.

It's important to realise that although your living situation may not be ideal, God has a better place for you in store, and while you work and labour in this world and may not reap the benefits, one day you will have more riches in Heaven than you could’ve ever asked for or imagined.