The 4 Big Building Blocks of an Indestructible Home
We sat in the driveway waiting.
I’d spent the day scrubbing my kitchen floor and ran out of time to change clothes before our appointment. I’d jumped into Bruce’s truck wearing my ripped jeans and an old T shirt that reeked of Clorox Cleanup Spray. Not my best look.
“I like it from the outside,” I smiled at Bruce. We’d looked at so many houses. Not one seemed to fit, and we were running out of time.
“The side yard is nice, and green is your favorite color.” (God is all about the details.)
Maybe this is the one.
“You think it comes with the lawn guy?” Bruce joked. I laughed as we watched a guy move up and down in straight lines at a lightning pace.
“You’d never let anyone else mow the lawn,” I retorted as I leaned forward to get a better look. “He kind of looks like Pastor Jorge from church. Doesn’t he?”
The lawn guy finished his job and moved from the side yard across the front lawn and into the garage of the house next door.
“That definitely was Pastor Jorge,” I nodded with conviction. “This house comes with a holy neighbor.”
Just then the realtor pulled up, and we got to walk across the threshold of the mysterious green house with the well manicured lawn.
I floated through every room and found my sweet spot. I stood in the family room looking out a big window that overlooked a backyard with a water view.
“It’s going to go fast,” the realtor said.
“Tell me where to sign,” I replied as I pulled out my checkbook.
After many months of searching, the Lord had given us our house. In 60 days, we’d stand in front of the church and commit to building a forever home together as man and wife.
I’d need more than a realtor and a checkbook for that.
Building a home is a work of the Spirit. I can decorate with cinammon candles and fluffy throw pillows, but still only live in a shell of a house.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain…
Psalm 127:1, ESV
Bruce and I both grew up in homesteads where hurts, bad habits, and hangups had created a hellish atmosphere. On our own, we had no idea how construct a stable home.
Almost nine years ago, two broken people decided to dedicate their 4 walls to the Lord. Every morning, we stand face to face across the kitchen island, hold hands, and pray for God’s wisdom to show us the way.
Maybe like me, your childhood home was characterized by chaos.
Perhaps you’re standing in a house of shattered dreams right now.
You can transform the atmosphere in your home by building with 4 concrete elements.
The 4 Big Building Blocks of an Indestructible Home
Love
Frame your home with three words: I love you.
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12, NIV)
Humility
Empty out pride and pour out a steady stream of this phrase: You come first.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Forgiveness
Smooth out the flaws by saying: I am sorry.
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13, NLT)
Giving
Guard your groundwork by covering it with grace: I can help.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, NIV)
Start your day for the next 7 mornings asking asking the Master Builder to help you build your home on a solid foundation of Truth.
Take the 7-Day Prayer Challenge:
I’ve created a one-page printable of these 7 Scriptural prayers for you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As we pray, God will build our homes strong and help us to stand securely on bedrock Truth. His Word will undergird our lives and shelter us in the midst of any storm.
An indestructible home is built on a solid foundation of Scripture and sacrifice.
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It must be true, what they say – “A family that prays together, stays together”. Thanks for this reminder, Lyli. Blessings to you.
Best marriage advice ever: Pray together out loud every day. 🙂
I love this post because it gave an assurance to anyone who had a broken childhood. It reminded how we do not need to carry that hurt into our marriage and our current home. God is the builder and also fixer of our once broken heart.
I love the 4 building blocks as well. Standing in the rooms and praying is one of the things I do as well.
I , too had a chaotic childhood.
Amen, Diana. Last night at Women’s Bible study at church, the first worship song spoke to my heart: “You make beautiful things out of dust.” Whatever we offer Him, He transforms. Even our broken hearts.
HUGS
Powerful post, Lyli. I spent my childhood with days full of chaos and turmoil. Love the analogy you so beautifully express. These are wonderful building blocks for our homes…built on a solid foundation, Jesus Christ! Thank you!
Sweet redemption. He restores the years the locust has eaten. I would have never thought that after meeting you. For sure, I would have said you were raised in the church. 🙂
I grew up in a non-Christian family and had to unlearn some things and learn many new things along the way. I thank God for the influences He sent along my way to help in that regard – a college major with classes in family, a church that regularly preached about marriage and family, books, friends, older women, godly examples. And, of course, the Bible itself, that all of these pointed to. Thank you for sharing what you’ve learned with others.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your story, Barbara. It’s amazing how the Lord gives us what we need — even when we come empty handed. 🙂
Love the first building block framing your home in “I love you” great post!
I started this post with those 3 words. 3 words can make a difference. i really wanted to title this post, “How 3 simple words can turn things around.”
Whenever I think about the law of averages and ponder, “What are the odds . ..?” I’m on face in gratitude for my home and family today.
Thanks for sharing your little green house story.
I always forget that the odds are in my favor when God is in my corner. So glad I can rely on Him, instead of my erratic emotions!
The Psalm 127 verse is one of my favorite verses ever. I think of it often. It can be used for some many areas of life. I want God to build everything I do, otherwise I labor in vain and there’s no eternal value in it. — Great tips on building a strong home, friend. Thank you. xoxo
I only used part of the verse for this post, but the whole verse is a wonderful promise for these crazy times we live in. He is building, and nothing will destroy what God erects.
Thank you for sharing this powerful truth with us today! It’s such an encouragement to build a home on the foundation of God’s love and forgiveness.
Thanks for hosting!
These 4 building blocks are always spot-on, every season of life, every relationship we’re in. Thanks for sharing your house story, Lyli. You pulled me in with it.
It’s one of our first Dunbar family God stories, and I realized this week I’d never shared it here with you.
love these building blocks – I would add: Sleep – bec when i don’t, I forget all four! (: Great post, lyli.
Loved your post about building block for a home. I have been married 30 years and I think it might be time to revisit what makes a home. We need to use those same building blocks to maintain a home. Thank you!
Beautiful, life-giving words, Lyli. 🙂
WOW! Just Wow! So loved reading this Lyli! Ooh the baggage I’ve carried around from childhood, my first marriage and the same with my husband. When we decided to get married we knew God had to be the center of our relationship. So thankful! I love the building blocks, so true!
Oh Lyli, I joined the linkup while I was out on the road yesterday and wasn ‘t able to read this until now, but maybe it was God’s timing. We had some teen drama here last night that shook us all up. So reading your four declarations is a balm to my soul and a compass: I love you. I am sorry. You are first. and I can help. 🙂 Pinning this today!
Praying, friend. We know drama here at Casa Dunbar. May God give you great wisdom & favor. HUGS
Yes! These building blocks are a part of our lives and I can testify that they can make beauty from ashes when consistently and loving applied! Thank you for this important reminder!
Thank you, Lyli, for all of the tools you give us! So good!