Building A Firm Foundation

The picture above is nothing like the cinder block garage that my Grandpa Glenn built! I recently had a dream about the building of my grandpa's garage. There he was in dream as he is in true memory, painstakingly placing each new brick. And when the garage no longer met his needs, he would move a wall and reconstruct. As a child, this was one of the things that made Grandpa Glenn who he was to me. I loved to watch him work with his hands on the garage or in his the garage at his gas station. Often times I would also see him landscape for Grandma Carol. Grandpa's care and touch to me as a child was a comfort and a safe place in the midst of my tumultuous childhood.

When I woke from my dream, I contemplated the reason behind the dream. I do not often dream about my Grandpa. As I thought about the garage and my Grandpa's touch to the world about him, I knew that he lived a life of specific purpose. His touch was gentle and his words gentler still, and the most magnificent word that I ever heard my him say was, "hmmm." He said it often, when others were hustling and bustling about him and telling him of their lofty plans. I never heard him speak a condemning word, although he too was human as you or I. Yes, I am certain that Grandpa had some choice words concerning lofty plans. Grandpa knew what I seldom see at first. He knew that even his words must be used to build a strong foundation. Just as he laid every brick down with great care to create that beautiful, large garage...so were the foundation bricks that he laid down for his household.

Father, help us to build our house on the strong foundation that you have provided through your Son. Help us to sift through the things that do not matter. Teach us how to grow in grace, come and abide in us with your spirit so that we do not tear each other down, but lift each other up in your love. Help us, in this generation to take hold of the Life that you give and help us to escape the enemy that surrounds us. Bring forth your Kingdom and your Household of Sons in this Generation. Establish us Father, in that household, the very living and breathing stones of your body, your temple.