This house has been called The Last House Standing. In 2008, Hurricane Ike barreled down on Galveston, Texas with a storm surge of 16 feet and waves reaching even higher. It leveled every single house, church and business across the small town of Gilchrist on the Bolivar peninsula.
Except one.
Reporters scrambled to find the owners of this tall yellow house. Everyone wanted to know two things: How had their house been built and who had designed it?
Turns out, the owners had been through a hurricane before. So when they were ready to build again, they hired engineers to design a house that would withstand a hurricane and then to oversee all of the contractor’s work.
The real strength of this house is below grade. The yellow house sits on reinforced concrete pilings anchored and bolted down to stabilizing pilings. The pilings run deep but also tall, allowing the yellow house to sit at a much higher elevation than surrounding houses.
The house didn’t come through unscathed. Hurricane Ike carried a slow but powerful ocean surge and some of the interior appliances, carpeting and furnishings were ruined. But while every other building collapsed like matchsticks, the yellow house stood secure.
The Storms in our Life
Jesus told the story of two houses – one built on sand and the other on rock.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” [Matthew 7:24-27 NIV]
Two people: both of them heard the same words of Jesus but only one put them into practice.
Jesus wasn’t talking about getting our house in order financially, though that’s important.
Jesus wasn’t talking about getting our house in order aesthetically, though there’s a place for that.
Jesus was talking about getting our house in order spiritually.
What is our anchor? Life can dish out some storms. When the wind howls and the rising water threatens, it’s not the carpet or the paint color or the bathroom tile that saves the house. It’s what is unseen. The deep anchoring in Christ alone saves us.
Today is an opportunity. I can add some tile and touch up the paint of my little house or I can secure my foundation. Every day I get to dig down deep into the Word and walk the path that God has for me or I can make my own way.
Two houses.
Two outcomes.
Maybe you’re in an unexpected, really hard storm right now and you’re saying “I know I’m anchored in Christ but boy is the wind whipping hard against me right now.” Take a long look at the yellow house. That is you. There may be scars from the storm and some needed mending, but the anchor is sure. There is stability in the Unseen that can never be seen above grade.
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I can’t possibly express how timely this is. What a blessing you are!
For Him,
Meema
So glad, Meema.
“The deep anchoring in Christ alone saves us.” Love those words. I could sit and meditate on those for a while. So grateful that He is our faithful anchor in the storm – the refuge that we can run to. Thanks for sharing this story today, Lisa.
Grateful here as well, Tiffany.
You are truly a blessing!
<3
Thank you, Lisa. This is an old truth but you retold it in a powerful new way. A reminder we all need.
It is an old truth. My mind kept going to the old song, The anchor holds.”
You managed to capture my prayer for my children as I sent them each out into the world (college), that I engineered their foundations well! This yellow house image will stick with me!
That’s a great prayer, Karen! And a reminder to invest well while they’re under our roof. Thanks, friend. 🙂
What an amazing visual of what God offers us in our own storms! Thank you so much for sharing this like this. It encourages me greatly to keep surendering, even when it hurts…I’m building on my Rock.
I once read someone describe being on the Rock as being in the eye of a storm: in the still Center. That’s what the Word does for me: stills the storm.
That’s a great description, Anna. To think that in the midst of the chaos and swirling, God has us right in the apple of His eye.
Thank you for these words. I am in a constant battle being a widow of 7 years of 10 children. I have struggled in every area as well having deep scars from an abusive marriage. I love your devotions. They are encouragement yo my aching soul.
Elizabeth, what a painful road. Today may you see God’s good hand on you and your children.
Awesome Lisa! Wonderfully said!
Thanks, Gretchen.
“Today is an opportunity. I can add some tile and touch up the paint of my little house or I can secure my foundation. Every day I get to dig down deep into the Word and walk the path that God has for me or I can make my own way.” Gulp. I am SO guilty of fussing over touch-ups rather than digging deep and doing foundation work. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your words and your heart…stopping by as your neighbor from WWIW.
Elizabeth, I was so happy to see we were neighbors today. Blessings, friend!
I live in Orange which is close to Beaumont which is only 45 miles from Crystal Beach and I remember when Ike hit, all of the homes in Bridge City Texas was demolished from the storm surge. Our of the entire city all house but like eight were destroyed and had multiple feet of water in them. The town has since rebuilt and came back stronger. I remember going to Crystal Beach a few months after Ike and there was still nothing there, it was so sad. Now, there is!! We have to remember that when a storm knocks us down we will get back up with God’s help and we need to build a foundation on Him.
Visiting from 152 insights
I have some pictures of Bridge City if you would like to see them or you can just Google Bridge City Texas, hurricane Ike 2008
I’m in Florida but I’ve never seen that kind of devastation. I can only imagine. Yes, it’s amazing to see pictures of even this yellow house a year after the storm . . . green grass, fresh white balconies and staircases. Praise God that there is beauty after the storm! Thank you, Miranda.
Sometimes it’s lots easier to put on new tile (go get a haircut?) that to really work on our foundations. Your post encourages me, friend. Praise GOD that I’m walking through a calm patch in life after a stormy fall, but it’s been one doozy of a day, so your words are giving me perspective.
Awesome lesson, Lisa. Just what I needed to read this morning:)
Such good encouragement, Lisa! I’m so glad you linked up at #ThreeWordWednesday. I enjoyed browsing your blog today and look forward to reading more!
Love this, Lisa!
Love this. Just wow. 🙂
This image will be etched in my mind. Thanks, Lisa.
It’s a powerful picture and lesson. Always good to hear from you, Julie. <3
Wow what a great lesson!