Our foundation
After my mother’s death, my husband and I purchased the “home place” (where my siblings and I were raised) from my mother’s estate. Our plan was to remodel the house and rent it. But, like many plans, this did not make it to fruition. The house remained empty for more than 20 years and fell into disrepair.
This past year, I faced a decision. Do I let the house fall down or try to save it? The roof leaked badly—the house wasn’t far from collapse. I stared at this building, my parents’ home for more than 50 years. The house where our family of seven had lived, loved, argued, and endured.
This structure is more than just a building.
My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic. They expected me to do my best at every endeavor. Laziness wasn’t tolerated, not that any of the five children ever attempted to escape work on the farm. Education was a privilege—we were all expected to do well in college, graduate, and have a successful career. Honesty, integrity, and service were traits my parents exemplified and instilled in us.
My parents established a strong foundation for me.
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3
So, even before checking into a new roof, I knew I needed to examine the foundation of the house. If the foundation wasn’t sound, then any other work on the house is wasted money and effort. The back and one end of the house had obvious damage. We’d noticed the cracks previously, but they had expanded in the years the house stood empty. The chimney was unstable. I hired an engineer to develop the plan and a professional to stabilize the foundation. Six helical piers were installed in the back of the house and near the chimney.
When my parents’ house was first built it had a strong foundation. It survived over 50 years without trembling or falling. But when ignored and uncared for, the foundation began to crumble. The house was no longer stable.
Just as our buildings need nurturing, care, and maintenance to remain strong and resistant to attack caused by neglect, so does our relationship with our Lord. We must keep our foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ or our faith can “crack” and weaken.
“Therefore who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose and the wind blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
The storms of life will come. We are assured of trials and challenges. But a strong foundation in our Lord, who is our Rock, will bring us safely through the storms.
Are you in the midst of a storm? Please let me know how I may pray for you.
Next week: Part 2–When sin leaks in
Katherine, I’m sad about what you face with your childhood home. It is never easy to see our memories crumble. Your illustration reminded me of Jesus’ story about building on the sand or the rock. Our lives must be based on Him, His virgin birth, resurrection, and return or everything else we believe has no foundation. Thanks for sharing.
It makes me very sad, too, Barbara. It’s so much harder to play “catch up” with major repairs when regular maintenance along the way would have been so much better. I just couldn’t bear to watch the house collapse. I drive past my parents’ home on the way to mine so I can’t pretend not to see it sinking into ruin. So much of a reminder for me to maintain my relationship with my Lord, rather than seeing it crumble under the burden of sin. Thank you for your compassion and empathy, my friend.
Katherine – a beautiful illustration out of a hard place. That is often what we see in life- Jesus and the life-giving Word being real in our hard places.
You say it so well, Marilyn. Jesus is “real in the hard places.” I don’t see how people get through the hard places without Him. I couldn’t have made it these past two years without His foundation and loving arms supporting me.
Oh my goodness what a moving tribute to the foundation of love and responsibility your parents poured into you Ms. Katherine. I had no idea you were taking on such a herculean task. You are to be congratulated ma’am. Not sure of you even realize it or not, but what a testimony to the importance of our legacy you are leaving for your children and grandchildren. Just when I didn’t think I could respect and admire you more, you go and “kick it up another notch!” Thank you for sharing the wonderful lessons you are learning through this adventure. I can’t wait to read the upcoming ones. God’s blessings ma’am. p.s. You’re going to need a bigger wheelbarrow. 🙂
Your encouragement is a balm to my weary spirit, J.D. It is a herculean task and sometimes I just want to cry out, “I give up!” But God gives me the strength to do one more thing. As Elisabeth Elliott said, “We just do the next thing.” That’s all we can do, one next thing, and keep doing it. Thank you for blessing me today, my friend.
Yes, you are right, I’m going to need a bigger wheelbarrow to haul away the trash–you’ll see what I mean next week.
Katherine, This is a very important truth for believers to understand. When a house or barn aren’t lived in and neglected, flaws creep in. When our earthen vessel isn’t occupied by the Holy Spirit, flaws will come. The Master builder cannot do the repairs needed if we don’t let Him in and live inside with us. Many people who have professed Christ have never let Him come in and take up possession and they wonder why their lives crumble. I can already see where you will be taking us with the leaks. Thanks for drawing the lesson out of you parents house.
You say it so well, Ben. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I love the imagery of our earthen vessel being occupied by the Holy Spirit. Yes! That is essential, but as you say, requires a decision on our part to invite our Lord into our vessel, our heart and mind–every aspect of our being.
Amen! So much truth in this post and beautifully backed up with your moving story. Wishing you the best with this new project you are tackling. It speaks to the legacy you are leaving for you family. Blessings to you!
Thank you for your encouragement, Candyce. I hope my family will carry the legacy on. I’m worried about getting my part completed, but I realize I need to not be discouraged by the enormity of the task, but just keep persevering, one aspect of the project at a time. Wishing you a blessed week.
What a beautiful soul truth you’ve found in your hard place. It can be so easy to “take a break” from the things that keep our spiritual foundations strong. You remind us of exactly why we can’t leave things to themselves for long. Blessings to you on this journey.
Leigh, I’m so thankful and blessed by your encouragement. When our Lord is with us in those hard places, He grants us the strength to keep going. He shores up our crumbling foundations. Wishing you joy on your journey.
Love, love, love this, Katherine! How easy to dig into the spiritual “roof” issues and neglect the foundation. What a treasure to have inherited an old house. My 3-part series was inspired by an 1846 antebellum house in Louisiana. The house has much to say to those who are not sure it’s worth restoring. 🙂 Our relationship with Jesus is always worth fortifying so that we continue to build on solid foundation.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Mary. Wouldn’t it be terrible if Jesus gave up on us the way we sometimes give up on old houses? I feel those who dwell in a house leave a certain part of themselves in the house when they move away or go to be with Jesus. Houses could really tell some amazing stories if we knew how to hear their whispers. Like you, I’m thankful for the solid rock of our Savior who fortifies our foundations.