Article

A Strong Foundation

July 01, 2023
Family with baby

When you think of home, what comes to your mind? 

Maybe to you it’s a safe, warm place where you are known and loved. Or maybe it’s the opposite—to you, home might be a place filled with shouting, anger, and resentment.

Both happy homes and hurtful homes start somewhere.

Someone along your family tree—your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents—laid a foundation and built a family on it. And what they built then is still impacting you today. 

The great news is that you get to lay the foundation for your family—one where you can build a happy, loving home. God’s Word tells you how. 

Jesus tells His followers this parable in Matthew:

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on 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 slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
Matthew 7:24-26

And Psalm says, 

“But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.” 
Psalms 94:22

Scripture is clear that a happy home is not just built on rock, but on THE Rock—the Lord. When the rains of life come along, a home built on Christ doesn’t fall, because its foundation is strong.

And because we live in a world designed by God, we can see this principle play out in nature as well. Take cardinals, for example.

After courting, these beautiful birds “house hunt” together. They visit different spots, singing back and forth as if “discussing” the location. When they find a secure foundation, they begin building their nest.

The cardinal’s nest has four layers. Both male and female participate in the first layer—the foundation. This layer is sturdy and made up of the hardest and firmest twigs. The second is a leafy layer followed by a waterproofing layer of bark. Finally, they spread soft grass and crushed pine needles. They have created a sturdy home, but a soft place to land.

No matter what home was like for you as a child—in God’s hands, your home today can become a place that’s warm, welcoming, and built on the firm foundation of Jesus as your Rock.

He’s drawn up the plans. Now ask Him to help you start building!