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Our oldest son just bought his first house, and let me tell you—he is all in. Paint colors, flooring options, backyard ideas—you name it, he’s dreaming it up. And watching him go through the process has taken me straight back to those early days when Michael and I were house hunting ourselves.

I’ve always loved it—walking through a place for the first time, opening closet doors, picturing where the sofa might go, imagining what curtains I’d hang in the windows. And you know I’m always looking for a cozy little corner where I could curl up with my Bible in the afternoon sun.

And Michael? Oh, he’s got his own list. While I’m dreaming about throw pillows and paint swatches, he’s in the basement with the flashlight—checking the furnace, asking about the wiring, inspecting the roofline. But his number one question is always the same: Is the foundation solid?

Because here’s the thing—we can fix a lot. Paint can be changed. Fixtures can be replaced. But if the foundation isn’t sound? That’s not cosmetic. That’s critical. A faulty foundation puts the whole house at risk, no matter how beautiful it may look on the outside.

And isn’t that what Jesus was pointing to in Matthew 7? He told a story about two builders. Both of them put up houses. But only one built on solid ground. The other built on sand. The difference wasn’t the structure—it was the foundation. And when the storm came—and it always comes—only one house stood.

Now let’s go back to Nehemiah chapter 5. The people were working hard, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. But underneath that progress was a problem. Injustice had crept in. The wealthy were exploiting the poor. Their community was cracking—and not because of the stones, but because of how they were treating each other.

Nehemiah stepped in and called it out. “What you are doing is not right,” he said. “Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God?” (v. 9). He reminded them that this wasn’t just about getting the job done—it was about honoring the Lord in how they lived. Mercy. Integrity. Humility. These weren’t just nice ideas. This was the framework that held their community together.

Anyone can build something that looks impressive. But without compassion, truth, and the fear of the Lord anchoring it, it won’t last. Whether you’re building a city, a family, a ministry, or a marriage—it’s only as strong as the foundation underneath it.

And the same is true for us.

We can arrange our lives with all the right pieces—color-coded calendars, family routines, cozy homes, and well-planned meals. We might even have that perfect little spot by the window where we read our Bible in the afternoon sun. But if our lives aren’t grounded in the truth of God’s Word—if we’re not anchored in who He is and what He’s called us to—we’ll start to feel the cracks when the storms hit.

And they will hit.

It might come as a hard conversation, a health diagnosis, a rebellious child, or financial strain. Or maybe it’s just the slow wear and tear of life that leaves you feeling stretched thin. Either way, the strength of your life won’t be measured by how polished it looks—but by what it’s built on.

It’s not about building a life that looks good. It’s about building a life that holds.

That means choosing truth when it would be easier to go with the flow. Choosing faithfulness when comfort calls your name. Choosing obedience when approval feels more rewarding. It means waking up each day and saying, “Lord, I trust You—even here.”

So let’s keep building. Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep choosing the solid ground—because the homes we’re making, both physical and spiritual, aren’t just for now.

They’re meant to last.

This Week’s Printable

Here is this week’s printable. Click the image to view and print a higher resolution.