How to stand against the storms coming at your relationships.

A few years ago, I envisioned building this grand pergola in my backyard. I pictured long tables, comfy couches, lounge chairs, and a BBQ island. I could already see guests hanging out and having a great time. This area would be the ultimate gathering place for friends and family.

After many years of dreaming, my wife and I finally started taking steps toward making that dream come true. The very first step involved laying the foundation for this new area. As such, we invested and laid the foundation after coming into some money. However, the following steps were not as easy.

Wanting to do everything correctly, I decided to pull permits for everything. As a result, the city requested detailed pergola plans, down to the type of washer and bolt we would use. Having an architecture background, I drafted the plans, ran them by a family friend in the construction business, and then submitted the plans to the city for approval.

Initially, they rejected the plans citing a lack of details. So, I returned to the digital drawing board and made the edits. After submitting the second round of revisions, they now rejected those for not having wind load calculations. This new request required me to hire an engineer to provide the appropriate calculations.

After the engineer provided his calculations, he made additional recommendations and upgrades to the sturcture. I want to say this was the last revision, but it was not. After multiple rejections, edits, and upgrades, the city finally approved us to start building almost five months after submitting the initial request.

I share this story as an example of what it takes to build something that lasts. The approval process was long because the city wanted us to construct this pergola to withstand hurricane-force winds. Initially, we were frustrated with the demands and rejections. Eventually, however, we understood this was the best for us and others.

This philosophy should be our approach when trying to build anything we want to last in our lives. This process especially applies to healthy marriages, families, or relationships. We need to invest an appropriate time and resources in planning and carrying out those plans.

When you do, you’re prepared to stand against the storms coming at your relationships.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

Matthew 7:24-27
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Pray:

Pray for wisdom in planning on how to build up or strengthen your relationships.

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.