Bless this house

Building a home is no easy task, as my husband and I have learned over the last year.

We’ve remodeled a couple of homes in our 15 years of marriage, but Nate’s dream always has been to design and direct the building of a home for our family. Two years ago, we found a lot we couldn’t pass up, and so began our journey.

I have prayed a lot along this road. I pray we use this home as a blessing not only to our family but also to others. A place where we can someday host meals and gatherings. A place to pray together, to fellowship and to grow.

As the house began to take shape in the spring, I got excited for the day our friends could come bless our house.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts … Write them on the doorframes of your houses.” — Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

Years ago, I had pinned an idea on Pinterest that suggested writing Scripture on the framing of a home as it’s being built. Since that time, I have kept a running list in my phone of verses that have touched my heart and that I could see as blessings on the walls of the different rooms of the home.

Then, in early July, at the end of the framing process and just before the walls were to be covered with insulation, we invited some close friends and their children over to fill our walls with the words of the Lord.

They all brought verses that were special to them, that they wanted to share with us. Some wrote prayers for our individual family members. Another shared a song about the Lord blessing a home. And a few of the youngest participants drew pictures of houses and puppy dogs.

On our way to the house that day, my 9-year-old son, Brixton, told me he wanted to write the words of Matthew 18:21 on the wall, but he wasn’t sure where. I said it could go anywhere, but maybe somewhere near his room and his sister Ila’s room would be fitting.

Later, as I walked through the house, my heart warmed as I saw the verse, “Peter asked, ‘Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven times but 77 times,’” written on a wall between their rooms.

Not long after, the walls were covered with spray foam insulation and then drywall. The verses and prayers are no longer visible to our eyes, but they are there nonetheless.

I consider it a blessing to have friends who see the value in sharing their favorite Scriptures with us.

God has truly been strengthening us and giving us patience on this journey.

I pray that someday soon, after we move in, that the words of those prayers and verses will reign in our family’s hearts throughout the years to come. And I pray that God will truly bless this house. 

Filed under: bless this house building a house In the Word Opinion write Scripture on walls writing Scripture on walls