Wise Man Foundation

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 ESV

I’ve recently been suckered into building a treehouse for my little girls. It never ceases to amaze me what I end up committing to when my daughters, who have me wrapped around their little fingers, ask.

There was this one spot with three trees on a slope right next to the creek where they wanted it placed. I knew that putting it in that spot would not be the easiest place to build it, as it would take a lot of extra work to make sure that it was secured properly. There was another spot just a few feet away that would have been a much better place. I kept trying to convince them my choice would be a better place to put it (and much easier to build), but those persistent little daughters of mine know that if they just beg hard enough, and tell me how important it is… Well, if you are a girl dad like myself, you know you will eventually cave in no matter how much extra work it takes. The little smiles on their faces can get you to commit to almost anything.

The reason that it was going to be so much harder (and time consuming) is that it was a difficult place to attach to the trees for a solid foundation. It isn’t impossible to build a solid foundation, it is just much more time consuming and a lot of extra effort. I explained that it would take me more time to put it there, and they decided they are happy to wait.

My girls knew that the extra time was due to the fact that I wanted it secure. When they were looking at their chosen location, they were far more concerned with their view of the creek and the things they wanted to do in it than they were the foundation. When I was looking at it, I was focused more on the foundation than anything. Afterall, I don’t want to have to build this thing again in a few years. I really want this thing to last until my grandkids are finished with it.

It made me start to think of that lesson Jesus taught about the wise man that built his house upon a rock. For those of you who are Bible study geeks like myself, there is a motif throughout scripture that compares Jesus to “The Rock or Stone” (Matt 21:42, Luke 20:17, Is 28:16, 1 Peter 2:6, 1 Cor 10:4) just to list a few. We as Christians use this term quite regularly, but how much do we really take it to heart?

The extra work in securing the treehouse made me think of how much extra effort I should be placing into laying the spiritual foundation for my kids. That foundation for them needs to be a deep layer of Jesus and as a father, it is my job to lay that foundation of Jesus in them. Laying a secure foundation takes a lot of time, but it is totally worth it. I will stand before God one day and give account for it. These years while they are little are passing by too fast for me. I know that the time I have with them is short. As I budget time to do the extra work for this treehouse, it reminds me that I need to be taking even more time to lay that foundation for them to build on.

I know once I get this treehouse built, I won’t need to worry about all of the plans that they have for it. My kids have their dreams and ambitions. I know it’s my job to lay that safe and secure foundation, and let them build the rest.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:10-11 ESV