Storm Preparedness

3 Ingredients to Disaster Proof Your Home

Natural disasters wreak havoc when they strike causing wide scale destruction to structures and the environment. Over the years, I've seen first hand the damage that occurs to a house when major storms occur. Yet, those that are intentionally constructed in anticipation of harsh conditions often withstand events that cause others to fall.

Along the hurricane coast, construction codes are modified to reflect the environment. There they require sturdier foundations, roofs secured with nails instead of staples, and greater reinforcements in walls and masonry. Unfortunately, these codes are not always implemented or enforced until after a major hurricane strikes. This was the case when Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992 causing extensive damage.

When our daughter was a toddler, one of her favorite things to do was play with blocks. However, she didn't like to stack them, she loved to knock them down. Dan and I would build a tower and she'd quickly demolish it. She'd laugh loudly then wait for us to build it again. We'd play this game for hours. Never once did she want to stack the blocks, her joy came from knocking them down. Is it any surprise that we nicknamed her "Dani the Destroyer"?

Houses are built out of manmade materials but a home is built on our relationships. It is only as strong as the connections within. Just as natural disasters can destroy an improperly constructed house, the storms of life can weaken and destroy our homes if they too are improperly constructed.

No home is ever completely free of trouble. In preparation of the harsh conditions that are certain to strike, build your home so that it can withstand events that can cause others to fall. Doing so requires three essential ingredients:


A Solid Foundation

The first and most crucial component of any structure is the foundation. It must be both solid and stable. It won't matter how strong the walls and roof are, if the foundation crumbles. A foundation build on the Rock is the most secure. Attend church together, pray together, walk in truth together. Faith in Jesus will see your home stand firm through the storms.

"When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built."

Luke 6:48

Strong Walls

Once the foundation is laid, the second step in construction is to build the walls. In relationships, walls are constructed by the words we speak and the actions we take towards one another. The more we build up one another the stronger the walls of our home become. But when we use harsh words or treat each other with disrespect--nag, belittle, put down, ridicule, or dominate one another- we create fissures that weaken its integrity. Affirm each other and seek ways to serve one other in love. Your walls will grow strong and will resist much.

"The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense."

Proverbs 10:21

A Protective Covering

The final piece of building construction is the roof. Once properly installed, it adds strength to the whole by securing all of the parts together. The most storm resistant roofing material for a home is a covering of love. Each part of the home becomes stronger as it adds stability and protection to all within. A roof made of love will withstand every tempest.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

1 Cor 13:7

As with poorly constructed buildings, we often take short-cuts in building our homes and wonder why they fail. Without the proper ingredients, a home can crumble even without a major storm. The steady rain of daily life can erode foundations built on sand, cause rot to eat away at exposed walls and send haphazardly attached shingles falling from roofs. At other times destruction doesn't come externally, it comes from within. We act like "Dani the Destroyer" willfully knocking down the very thing we sought to build.


Message for the Journey:

A home built on a foundation of Christ, with walls of affirmation and service, and topped by a covering of love will withstand every storm of life. Like a strong tower, it will be a refuge for the family, a protection from the world, and a secure place of acceptance. Don't wait until after disaster strikes to ensure your home is well constructed. Invest time each day. Live a Proverbs 14:1 life. Together you will remain strong.

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14:1

©AnnWilds2011

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