Brick by Brick

I guess I can’t bear the title of “Queen of the Double-Wide Trailer” anymore… technically; it wasn’t a double-wide trailer.  It was a 14 x 64 foot two bedroom house trailer that my husband, daughter and I lived in for six years.  Yes, we had mice and hot summer days.  We also had times of uncertainty when bad storms or winds came. These were the ‘perks’ that go along with living in a mobile home. 

This spring we changed our situation and took on the arduous task of moving our house trailer away from its present location, digging a hole for a basement, building a basement and moving a 3 bedroom bungalow on to our farm.  We knew this was going to be a  lot of work ahead of us and yet we knew that we would reap the rewards when all was said and done.

This brings me to think of the parable in the Bible of the wise man and the foolish man.  The wise man built his house upon a rock and the foolish man built his house on the sand. 

…whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.  (Matthew 7:24-27)

So many times, we know the right thing to do but we turn a deaf ear and ignore the consequences to our actions.  I think of our marriages and the difference that it makes when it is built on commitment and trust.  So many marriages are built on looks, money, convenience or even sexual relationships.  These foundations are shaky and will not stand when tough times come.  Marriages that have a solid foundation can have many obstacles stand in their way, but when it comes right down to it, they will make it through.

A solid foundation for our relationships is built brick upon brick.  These ‘bricks’ are necessary to maintain a healthy relationship.

R- reaching out to others

E- enjoying each other

L- loyal to each other

A- available to each other

T- trusting each other

I- interested in each other

O- open with each other

N- needing each other

S- supporting each other

H- helping each other

I- investing in each other

P- praying for each other

S- strengthening each other

Our relationships should be a priority in our lives.  Ecclesiastes 4:12 says that two are stronger than one and that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  The three strands stand for me, you and God.  We cannot find true fulfillment in our relationships if God is not involved in them.