marriage is like a house

This is a post that I wrote for this fabulous lady's blog a while back. Just in case you missed it then, I wanted to be sure you got a chance to read it now.
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I've spent the past two weeks at the new house painting, cleaning and praying over all that will take place in it. I cannot wait to make this house our home-- to share it with my best friend and for all the memories to be made there. If you've ever spent time painting, then you know that it requires a lot of time. During those hours spent painting, I have had some extra time to think and daydream. Moving from room to room quickly had me noticing the similarities between a house and a marriage. Building a house takes time, planning and quality construction and so does a good marriage.

You have to first start with a solid foundation. If your house isn't built on a secure, dependable base then the rest of it will be affected. Marriage is no different. Building a strong relationship starts with knowing who you are and what you believe in. For us, our marriage foundation is centered around our faith. Without the assurance that we have a God that is in control and who loves us more than we are capable of understanding, then we would be walking constantly on shaky ground. Although there are many things that make my husband and I different, we can always go back to our common foundation in Christ. It is what holds us up when winds of challenge and the world rains down on us.

Next, you have to frame the house and build the walls. This is what makes each house different from one another; they each have their own unique design. The walls of marriage are made up of your values and dreams. These, too, are what make your marriage different from any other. Your values create each room, filling it with what you want out of life. Updating, cleaning, and daily attention is important to keeping the space you live in enjoyable and welcoming. For a husband and wife, this is also true. Spending time together, paying attention to each others needs and enjoying life together is what makes coming home all worth it.

Lastly, you have the roof. The roof of marriage is the love you share. Without a roof, a house isn't livable and it's expensive to replace! Without love, a marriage isn't livable either. And I'm not referring to the butterflies in your stomach and warm fuzzies kind of love. I'm talking about real, unconditional, servant-hearted love. One that will protect all that is inside. Love does that. Real love keeps us safe. We don't have to worry about all that is inside the house because at the end of the day, the roof keeps us protected. And love covers us, too.

These elements are what make up a strong and sturdy marriage. Just like a house! But the most fun comes when you can decorate it and make it all your own. You can fill your marriage by making memories, going on dates, having a family and sharing in life together. It's what makes it the most beautiful place to be and what makes a house a home.

And there is no place like home.