I love that Jesus was a carpenter and learned to build from his Father because I also had a Father who was a builder. I remember one long summer living in a bus we had converted into a trailer. Me and my three sisters, my mom and dear friends worked along side my Dad to complete our home so we could move in before winter. I learned many things that summer. I learned that living in a small space and sharing a single bottom bunk bed with my sister had its challenges, that mice also thought living in trailer was fun, and that many amazing memories can be made while working together using a hammer, mixing cement or carrying lumber.
There are many things I was witness to that summer that taught me how important a strong foundation is, and I also learned that it took a lot of perseverance and patience, and that keeping the vision of the finished product in the forefront of your mind was key when things did not go as planned.
It would have been great to have built our home in half the amount of time and not had to spend the entire summer building, but it was important to do each stage properly before moving on to the next, ensuring it would be solid and safe as jumping ahead and not waiting for each step in the process would mean having to go back and dismantle and correct mistakes.
I’ve often thought of the amount of times I have wanted to run ahead of my heavenly Father even though I knew he had the best plans and intentions for me. Waiting has always been so tough, but like trying to put a second coat of paint on a wet wall, patience is so key to moving forward in God’s perfect timing.
My parents had spent so much time dreaming and planning each phase of the building of our home but there were still bumps along the way and many times things did not go exactly as they expected. But still they pushed through always with the vision of the home that they dreamed of and our family living inside of it.
Perseverance was so key for them and it still is for you and I today as we build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus. He knows we will have trials as we walk the path that God has placed us on, but he has promised to never leave our side. He is the one with the blue prints and he has planned what you are to build and believe me it will be amazing. He has equipped you with all of the tools you will need, whether you are building an actual house or you a building a family or maybe your building a career or a ministry, He will walk with you guiding you, counselling you giving you wisdom along the way, so when things get tough, don’t give up. Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus and watch and see what the two of you will build.
Matthew 6:33 says “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”