Home Improvement

“Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah made repairs beside his house.”  Nehemiah 3:23

When the residents of Jerusalem decided to get to work, some headed across town to help while those who lived near the wall simply stepped out the front door.  “Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah made repairs beside his house…Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.  Next to them, Zadok made repairs opposite his house”(Neh 3:23,29). 

All of the wall had fallen, and progress could be made at any point, but the people realized that it didn’t make much sense to head down the street when you stumble over rubble in your own driveway, so they began rebuilding at home.  Sometimes that’s the hardest place to start.

If we’re honest, we often find ourselves more patient with an employee or kinder to the neighbor’s kids than to those who share the same address.  Under our roofs, the elements of proximity, personalities, and permanence synthesize with schedules and stresses in a blend both delightful and difficult.  Sometimes it’s simpler and more immediately satisfying to spend our energy and efforts in work projects or personal recreation, but while our influence and involvement in civic, community, and even church activities are important, if God has given us a family, we must focus on them first to build a legacy that will last.

Please don’t think I’m preaching from a pedestal of perfection.  I’ve already blown it several times today and have had to apologize profusely for my attitude and actions.  It’s tough to make the right choices with our time and in our tone, to be selfless and self-controlled, to love well and listen well, to guide and to give with wisdom and grace, but when we are willing for our minds and our hearts to stay at home, focused on God and those He has given us to love and live with, our relationships are built stronger and sweeter and our families overflow with God’s goodness and grace.

Don’t head across town when you need to stay home.

The ones you live with need you most and love you best.

Get busy building.