building your house on the rock...

the boys and i were walking along the creek yesterday surveying the damage from the storm the night before. we had left some "valuables" out - not knowing that there was a storm coming through - one of those kind that make the creek swell so big and sweep with it all that has been left unsecured...

we lost:
our 6 person tent
4 lanterns
our play pool
our slide

but some good things that were NOT swept away:
pup tent
6 lanterns
riley's favorite tool (hatchet kind of thing)
rake
hammock
edger
glass table
(and really the list could go on...)

our loses were much LESS in comparison to what was saved. isn't that like life sometimes? but we don't realize it until later on - after the storm has passed?

from that thought my mind went to the parable of building your house on the rock - meaning, have a firm foundation (be secured down) so that when storms come, your home will not be destroyed. isn't that one of the reasons we study the bible and pray without ceasing. so that we will KNOW the LORD much better - so that we can recognize his voice - so that WHEN (not if) the storms come that we will not be swept away... what better way to show the world that we mean what we say we believe - to not crumble when trials come. To be able to STAND knowing that having the LORD on our side is enough - that HE truly has our back...

so for those girls of mine that are going through such tough times right now, you know who you are...

i see the LORD in you
keep on KEEPING on...
for what other reason have you dug in to get to know the maker of the world than for times as these...

HE is relying on you to come to HIM
you are doing such a magnificent job...
and you are showing me the true meaning of FAITH and TRUST.

HE takes great delight in YOU,
you are so VALUABLE to HIM... and to me.