Family Under Construction
By Rev. Raymond GowansMy family and I are in the process of renovating our basement. The basement was a cold, dark, and dismal place where I had to work every day. The definition of "renovation", according to Merriam Webster, is "to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding). Since the pandemic hit, my family had to face new challenges because now, we are all home, all day, and every day. We had created a play area in the basement with a TV and sofas for the children.
The space in the basement is huge. The disorganization and lack of defined areas challenged us every day. I had started doing zoom bible studies and found myself very frustrated. My children wanted to make sandwiches and give them to the homeless over the winter months, and I could not find my tracts, bible materials, etc. Those things were still packed away from the move. I did not know where they were. I believe the Lord knew our frustration and what we are trying to do for him and our family. I was praying one day when the Lord told me to renovate the basement. We wanted this done before we moved into this our new house. We knew it was necessary for our family size and needs. I tried to get another contractor to finish the basement, he never responded to my call for help. I knew I had to do this project on my own. At least I thought I had to do it on my own. The Lord said for what we had to do this year; the basement office had to be completed over the Winter into the Spring. He said there were many things that are going to happen very quickly. I remember the Lord saying to me, "If you do not draw a plan, this project will not happen." I did not know where to start except I know the bible says in the Bible book of James 1:5--- "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives liberally to all men liberally…" |
The Three Aspects of Construction
As I began this construction project, we were going through the same process as a family. The process involved in the construction project is the same renovation we are involved in as a family. God has called us to do great things for Him, but we cannot do those things unless we are renovated. In this article, I will compare the renovation process of our basement to the renovation of our family. The Lord showed me the three aspects of this project: planning, assessing, and construction. |
Phase One: Planning
Let me be clear the Lord initiated all of this. The first thing that needs to be done in any project is planning. I had to sit down with my wife, and we talked about what we needed in the space to make sure it is functional. Then we involved our children in the process. Planning makes everyone get involved and excited about what is happening, and boy were they. So, we made our plans and submitted them to the local authorities to get the approval to start our project. Likewise, the Lord had been giving me a vision for our house.
My wife and I agree that as for our home, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:18). To serve the Lord, we needed a vision (plan) from the Lord for our household. So, the Lord called me to a fast at the beginning of this year. In a very similar way, the vision was brought to my wife and then our children. Everyone has a part and purpose in it, and together we will serve the Lord.
Let me be clear the Lord initiated all of this. The first thing that needs to be done in any project is planning. I had to sit down with my wife, and we talked about what we needed in the space to make sure it is functional. Then we involved our children in the process. Planning makes everyone get involved and excited about what is happening, and boy were they. So, we made our plans and submitted them to the local authorities to get the approval to start our project. Likewise, the Lord had been giving me a vision for our house.
My wife and I agree that as for our home, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:18). To serve the Lord, we needed a vision (plan) from the Lord for our household. So, the Lord called me to a fast at the beginning of this year. In a very similar way, the vision was brought to my wife and then our children. Everyone has a part and purpose in it, and together we will serve the Lord.
Phase Two: Assessing
The next step in the construction process is assessing the project. The process of accessing the project is essential! You must determine if this is something for now or later. Many people have plans for projects that are not for now but later. There are many questions that need to be answered after the plans are made. Jesus said in Luke 14:28---
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it."
Assessing was the second thing and the most important thing to do because if you can not finish the project, do not start it. It would be best if you waited until you have what is necessary to finish the project.
Likewise, we had to assess as a family if we could do what Jesus is calling us to do. We have been praying for our children and how the Lord will use them. They have been serving the senior citizens in care facilities. The children have many gifts and talents that can be utilized. My wife is awesome, prayerful, teaches, and is what I lack. She has many gifts the Lord wants her use as well. After the assessment, we believe we can move forward to the next stage, the construction phase.
The next step in the construction process is assessing the project. The process of accessing the project is essential! You must determine if this is something for now or later. Many people have plans for projects that are not for now but later. There are many questions that need to be answered after the plans are made. Jesus said in Luke 14:28---
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it."
Assessing was the second thing and the most important thing to do because if you can not finish the project, do not start it. It would be best if you waited until you have what is necessary to finish the project.
Likewise, we had to assess as a family if we could do what Jesus is calling us to do. We have been praying for our children and how the Lord will use them. They have been serving the senior citizens in care facilities. The children have many gifts and talents that can be utilized. My wife is awesome, prayerful, teaches, and is what I lack. She has many gifts the Lord wants her use as well. After the assessment, we believe we can move forward to the next stage, the construction phase.
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Phase Three: Construction
The construction phase is when we finally get to build. It is the most fun part because you are using your God-given abilities to accomplish your goals. During construction, the most critical factor is the foundation. The foundation must be straight and true so you can build properly. In our case, I had a very difficult time because the floors slope down towards the center of the basement. I had to find something true and level to start building.
In our basement, it was the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling was the foundation I used to frame the basement. Every piece of wood had to be cut to a different length. It was over 200 studs. Likewise, in our family reconstruction, our foundation is the Word of God. The bible is full of scriptures, but in reconstruction, you need a scripture that will be a building block to make the foundation sure.
There were scriptures given to me to shore up my foundation as a husband and father. I will share one the Lord told me, and this I believe everyone needs to hear, especially in this society. He said, "where there is order, the blessings will flow," so I had to put my house in order. God's word meant to me getting involved in the everyday issues I was ignoring. It was having "order" that started the blessings flowing in our lives and the start of great things.
The construction phase is when we finally get to build. It is the most fun part because you are using your God-given abilities to accomplish your goals. During construction, the most critical factor is the foundation. The foundation must be straight and true so you can build properly. In our case, I had a very difficult time because the floors slope down towards the center of the basement. I had to find something true and level to start building.
In our basement, it was the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling was the foundation I used to frame the basement. Every piece of wood had to be cut to a different length. It was over 200 studs. Likewise, in our family reconstruction, our foundation is the Word of God. The bible is full of scriptures, but in reconstruction, you need a scripture that will be a building block to make the foundation sure.
There were scriptures given to me to shore up my foundation as a husband and father. I will share one the Lord told me, and this I believe everyone needs to hear, especially in this society. He said, "where there is order, the blessings will flow," so I had to put my house in order. God's word meant to me getting involved in the everyday issues I was ignoring. It was having "order" that started the blessings flowing in our lives and the start of great things.
Renovation: Better Together
My wife, children, grandchildren all helped with this renovation. I was trying to do this project on my own. I was very tired. I was working until 1 AM some nights, and consequently, my body was in pain. When I told my family this, they stepped up! My wife spliced the wire for the ceiling lights, my daughter Elena helped with the drywall screws and painting. Hannah loves painting. We finished the floor for the office in no time.
As a team, we completed that work in no time. This process has worked in the family as well; we build and work together. My wife is an excellent designer. I will be helping her with that. This team home construction has brought us closer as a family and bonded us forever.
My wife, children, grandchildren all helped with this renovation. I was trying to do this project on my own. I was very tired. I was working until 1 AM some nights, and consequently, my body was in pain. When I told my family this, they stepped up! My wife spliced the wire for the ceiling lights, my daughter Elena helped with the drywall screws and painting. Hannah loves painting. We finished the floor for the office in no time.
As a team, we completed that work in no time. This process has worked in the family as well; we build and work together. My wife is an excellent designer. I will be helping her with that. This team home construction has brought us closer as a family and bonded us forever.
Conclusion
This comparison of a home renovation project and a family renovation may seem like two different things. The process of both is the same, which why the scripture says in Hebrews 3:4---
"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God."
Someday soon, our basement renovation will be complete. As servants of the Lord, at every new ministry level, there will be a new foundation needed to build properly for that level in The Lord. In other words, our spiritual renovation is an ongoing process until "the Day of Lord." This lifetime commitment is why we want to be a wise builder. 1 Corinthian 3:10 says---
"According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise builder."
Build on Jesus!
This comparison of a home renovation project and a family renovation may seem like two different things. The process of both is the same, which why the scripture says in Hebrews 3:4---
"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God."
Someday soon, our basement renovation will be complete. As servants of the Lord, at every new ministry level, there will be a new foundation needed to build properly for that level in The Lord. In other words, our spiritual renovation is an ongoing process until "the Day of Lord." This lifetime commitment is why we want to be a wise builder. 1 Corinthian 3:10 says---
"According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise builder."
Build on Jesus!