Building a house or building a HOME

After getting off the phone with my daughter tonight,as we discussed her plans for moving, I thought to myself, moving is such an exciting yet emotional transition. It is difficult to leave a familiar and comfortable space. It is physically hard work to transfer our belongings from one place to another. It is emotionally difficult leaving memories, friends and family behind. I feel very experienced in this area as our family has moved 10 times in 25 years. Coming from a home where I lived in the same house from age five to nineteen I would have never imagined that I would move so often in my adult life. The Lord had other plans though and as I look back I have to say that through it all I have learned a great deal. First of all, a home is not made of brick and mortar, a home is where family resides,where love, laughter and memories are made and shared each and every day. It is family growing in good and difficult times that really build a strong home. I have chosen over the years to focus on the positive aspects of moving and I have to say my favorite is the special relationships we have built over the years. The unforgettable opportunities for ministry the Lord has allowed us to be apart of. I love cleaning out and blessing others with the many things we collect and store and do not need. I have learned how little we can get by on and yet how easy it is to get trapped into thinking a home is made by filling it up with all of the luxuries we can afford. Has it always been easy,no. Have I resisted at times ,yes but I always am reminded of what a home truly is: It is group of unique and special God- created individuals sharing their lives with one another while residing under one roof that make a home. A house is easily replaceable but a home is not. I have never doubted that I would have a roof over my head and three meals a day but I have questioned my ability at times to make sure my children always felt loved and accepted for the individuals they were and would one day become.. This is where a real home built on a solid foundation makes all the difference. Only from laying a foundation of truth can a house become a home or training ground for us to raise up Godly young men and women for His purpose and glory. As my children are now older we often talk about the things we loved about this house or that and the special neighbors we had and memorable times shared, but at the end of the day when it is all said and done my prayer is that my children will not so much remember the physical dwelings they lived in but the home they had. A home that was steadfast and unchanging and solid because it was not made of concrete and mortor but instead a home built on love, forgiveness, acceptence and diciplne,respect and honor that was unchanging, steadfast and secure. A home built on the solid foundation of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is and always will be the heart of our home here on earth. Even now He is preparing our forever "home" in heaven where we will dwell with Him for all eternity. Is your home built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? I pray it is so that you too can know what it is to have a "HOME" like no other.