"Why do you say to me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." -Luke 6: 46-49
The foundation of our home, family, and ministry is Christ, but this month we have learned some hard lessons. Thankfully, nothing has collapsed or been destroyed, but we have faced physical, mental, and spiritual challenges. This scripture reminded me that making Christ the foundation takes work, but that work is worth it. "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." -Psalm 18:2
As Manuel and Josue have transitioned to their new school, they have faced quite a few challenges of their own. These challenges have not torn them down. These challenges are serving to strengthen them. Their new school provides syllabi for many of its classes and posts some assignments online. Sounds kind of like college, right? Already the boys learned (the hard way), that a research paper can not be written well in just 2 days. They also learned that if a professor tells them about an assignment, but does not hand it out, they should check online BEFORE 9pm the night before it is due. They are also learning a lot about typing, excel documents, formulas, etc. No matter how difficult the high school is that one attends, beginning college classes is often a shock. We are glad that this shock will be somewhat absorbed by the experiences they are having at their new high school. They hope to start college in February of next year and are discerning what career path they should choose.
Thomas and Joanna are learning this month too. Thomas has been challenged with the task of gently showing his affection for Joanna. He adores his little sister and is constantly wanting to hug, hold, and kiss her, but the intensity of his hugs are often too much for her. Her squeals for help alert me to come pry him off. He is an energetic, silly, outgoing little boy and his adoration for his sister is a joy to see. In addition to learning to withstand Thomas's powerful expression of love, Joanna has also learned to get herself to sleep on her own. This involves lots of rolling around, a little crying and some toe-sucking, but she has pretty much mastered it. She even had to work on sleeping through a fence being built and concrete being mixed just feet outside of where she sleeps.
From baby gates to pantries, gas tank covers to sturdy doors, Marvin has been given more opportunities to weld this month. This is a great ministry that keeps him busy doing what he enjoys and challenges him to slow down and plan things well. When in a rush, it is easy to make mistakes like welding hinges or brackets on the wrong side of an almost completed project. A greater mistake than this is when we confuse things of this world for our foundation when Christ should be our foundation. "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord." -Proverbs 16:2 Marvin is working to lead our family, be an example of a godly man for Josue and Manuel, and is such a fun dad for Thomas and Joanna.
My foundation has been tested this month too. I still struggle with sadness of being so far from family, lack of independence, a desire to do more nursing work, self-worth as a stay at home mom, and so many other things. Although comfort and happiness are great gifts from the Lord, my happiness should not be my priority and neither should having a comfortable life. Honoring God, doing his will, and growing in faith through the hardships are more important goals.
I feel like these challenges over the last month are not the "torrent" or the "destruction" spoke of in Luke. I think they are the digging "down deep" that we must do to make Christ our foundation. The hard lessons we learn strengthen our dependence on the Lord and remind us that we need Him to be our firm foundation. Without him, our house cannot stand.
