Build a house of rock

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

As an elementary school teacher, I love children's books and am always on the hunt for new books to read to the class. Of course, I have the perfect test ground with 2 young children at home and I love the opportunity to read bedtime stories with them and see what their opinions of the books are.

Recently we read one of the classic tales - The Three Little Pigs. Everyone knows this story and the importance of building a house out of bricks in order to ensure the big bad wolf can't get to them. Of course, I'm not writing this blog to re-tell the story - nope, you know there's a bigger reason for my reminding you of it!

Life is built from the foundation up. If we don't build a strong foundation, rooted in firm beliefs, well at the first sign of trouble we'll likely crumble - just like the houses of straw and sticks could not withstand the wolf's huffing and puffing. This is why we are reminded "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." If we believe in the word of God, lead our lives with strong faith, we WILL have the firm foundation to ensure our house will not crumble in the storm.

Now the reality is you're probably telling yourself that I'm simplifying things and that life is not that simple. You're right. AND the reality is that tough times will still come but that's the point, you my feel like you're drowning while you travel through them but you are guaranteed to come out the other side - promise!!

So today I DARE you to begin building your own house of bricks. Create a routine that incorporates connection with God on a daily basis. Maybe you start your morning with a devotional, reading this blog, or just a quiet conversation with the Big Guy as you go for walk. Of course, if you're not a morning person, you might find the end of the day is a better time to make those connections in the quiet before bed. Either way, by having faith be a daily and active part of your day, you can and WILL withstand all the storms that blow through.

As we enter hurricane season in Florida, here's to staying safe AND to building a house of faith that God is watching over us, is with us, and will protect us this coming season.