I like Zillow’s (an online real estate database) advertising motto, ‘It’s not just a house, it’s where your life happens.’

A couple summers ago my mother decided to sell her house; our father had passed away a few years before, and she thought it was time to downsize from their two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 2 ¾ bathrooms, 2 car garage, and large fenced yard. She moved into a tiny apartment while the house was readied for sale; once it sold, she planned to move into a senior housing community condo, somewhat bigger than the apartment.

I was heartbroken, though I understood the why. But that house held more than 20 years of memories; memories of our father, the years of life happening with him still with us. All the special occasions spent together, five adult children, add several grandchildren; even two great-grandchildren before he left this world.

Until he fell ill, he meticulously groomed the lawn; all the kids, grown-up kids included, loved the sunny summer days when he barbequed delicious chicken or ribs, intermittently sat in a patio chair watching the shenanigans and laughter as we enjoyed his yard.

Winter, of course, brought the shenanigans and laughter into the house, which grew louder with each additional grandbaby. Not a conversationalist, he would mostly just sit in his recliner, watching the family grow.

The first time I returned to the house after he passed, his recliner was gone. The empty space was huge; tears flowed and I almost ran out because I couldn’t bear it. And now, the entire home was going?

It was an awful feeling, almost of betrayal; but it was really about my struggle letting go of a house rich with memories. (Note: after three months in the apartment, my mother felt stifled by its small size and the unfamiliar close living with other tenants. Thankfully, the house had not sold, so she moved back in.)

I find analogies between building a house and preparing a home where the Lord dwells in our hearts:

1) Choose the land. From the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:1-23, we learn that to receive the Truth, our hearts need fertile soil where seeds of faith may take root and grow; otherwise, the Word falls on deaf ears, or we lose faith when going through difficulties, or we are so wrapped up in things of this world, we don’t seek fellowship with Him.

2) Lay the foundation. Isaiah 28:16 says ‘So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.’

I confess, I have panicked, but as I seek His comfort, He peels me off the ceiling of distress, setting me back on the tested, sure foundation built on faith in Him.

3) Build a strong frame [weather-resistant]. Storms in our lives, family unrest, work dynamics, and/or financial needs, threaten to be our undoing, especially when seemingly all are without relief. However, even if circumstances do not change, believe Psalm 40:2 ‘He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.’ He repeatedly pulls my frantic thoughts out of the fearful mire and sets them back onto the precious solid Rock, hewn by His grace and mercy.

Remember the Sunday School song based on Matthew 7:24-27? The wise man built his house upon the rock, but the foolish man built his upon the sand – and it did not stand.

4) Hook up utilities. Several power sources are necessary to make a house functional. One Power source is needed to make a Christian functional. Plugging into God’s power requires building a close relationship with His Son through repentance, prayer, Bible Study, and living a life pleasing to Him.

For the Lord is the Light, He washes sin from our hearts, and it is in Him our soul’s eternal security lies. Ephesians 3:16-17, ‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.’

5) Build the inside. Proverbs 24:3-4 says ‘By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.’ What are the true treasures of our hearts, are they material gains and possessions, or are they priceless investments in relationships, beginning with our Maker, whereby we are taught how to properly regard family, friends, and others whom He places in our lives?

6) Finish the exterior. Even when weary worn, our lives can still outwardly show others how daily He renews our strength, provides for our needs, and gives us hope and purpose in all things. I encourage you to share your faith by the way you live, unashamed of the hope and confidence we have within because our hearts are built on the Rock. Romans 1:16 ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’