My son loves building with Legos. His room looks like a Lego museum—and often like a construction zone—with tiny bricks strewn all over the floor, just waiting for an unsuspecting parent to walk in and step on them.

Several years ago, he studied the history of our home state of Georgia. As a final project, he chose to redesign our capitol building—constructing it the way he would choose, if he were the architect drafting the plans. 

Guess what he chose as his building material? You got it—Lego bricks.

For several days, he poured his free time into creating a capitol building which would make the people of Georgia proud. He selected only gray and white bricks. He built in an abundance of windows. He even printed our state flag on cardstock, attaching it to a tiny pole and flying it atop the capitol building.

It was quite the masterpiece. 

At the beginning, before constructing any walls or installing a single window, he carefully laid a foundation which would support his large building. He knew this first step was essential to creating a strong structure.

We parents are a lot like Lego craftspeople. Every day we have countless opportunities to build our homes and strengthen the people who live within our walls. Like my son deliberately placing his building’s foundation, we can lay a strong foundation by modeling faith that’s authentic, Scripture that’s central, and a mission that’s celebrated.

Faith that’s Authentic

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Every one of us falls short. That’s why Jesus came—to pay for the sins of those He loves and to fulfill God’s Law on our behalf. Let’s celebrate this in daily life by:

• Modeling the gospel for our kids when we fall short, expressing that Jesus has forgiven us and asking if they will, too.
• Forgiving our kids when they hurt us and reminding them that Jesus offers them forgiveness, too.
• Pointing to Christ as our hope for daily transformation.

Scripture that’s Central

These commands that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV

God’s Word reveals His heart and shows us how we can live in relationship with Him. Let’s bring Scripture into our everyday conversations by:

• Telling our kids what God has been teaching us through our own times of Bible study and prayer.
• Discussing what the Bible says about situations we encounter as a family.
• Memorize Bible verses together (BlueLetterBible.org is a great resource for finding verses topically.) 

A Mission that’s Celebrated

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

As Christians, we’re part of a worldwide mission. Through us, God calls a lost world into relationship with Him. Let’s prepare our kids to share this gospel message by:

• Giving them heroes to emulate through reading missionary stories together (We love the Trailblazer Books and Christian Heroes: Then & Now.)
• Praying for missionaries and staying up to date on how God is working in their ministry.
• Dreaming with our kids about how God could use them someday, while pointing out ways He can work through them right now.

This work of building our homes is an investment in eternity. As we live out authentic faith, teach our kids God’s Word, and cast a vision for joining in His work, we’re laying a strong foundation upon which they can build their lives.  

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This work of building our homes is an investment in eternity. #parenthood #parents @meredithnmills

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Meredith Mills is a wife and mother to three inquisitive, adventurous, fun-loving kids. She writes about flourishing in Christ and walking with Him in our everyday spaces at www.MeredithNMills.com. Connect with her on Instagram and Twitter @MeredithNMills and on Facebook as @MeredithNicoleMills.

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