I always dreamed of building my own home or a cabin in the woods. I didn’t know much about building and construction when I grew up. I did take woodshop in Jr High and learned about various tools used with woodworking. I made a small jewelry box and of few other items.
When I became the pastor at Chapel in the Hills Church in Tucson, Arizona, I learned a lot about construction when we built two new buildings and remodeled a third during the years I served there. We did a lot of the construction ourselves and I learned a lot about framing walls, plumbing, concrete work and a lot more from skilled craftsmen.
As our family grew in numbers, I was able to add a family room on the back of our house and later a fourth bedroom and third bathroom on the side of our house. When we moved to California I was able to build a fourth bedroom and third bathroom on to that house too. I built the room additions to conform to the building codes in each state. I went to the county building offices and they gave me a packet of information and requirements. I drew the plans myself on graph paper. I submitted my drawing of the foundation, floor plan, site plan, elevation plan and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing details. My plans were reviewed and approved by the Building Department and were subject to onsite inspections.
I dug the trenches for the concrete foundations. I learned how to pour and finish concrete floors. I built block walls and framed interior walls. I was able to install gas pipe, copper water pipes and glue together sewer pipes. I framed roofs and put on wood shingles, asphalt shingles and rolled roofing. I installed sinks, showers and toilets. I hung doors and built closet shelves. I hung and tapped and finished the drywall. I let others do the stucco and electrical work. I did the painting too. I am very thankful for the people who taught me and helped me along the way.
Although I have never built my own house, I am thankful that I was able to build additions on to both of our homes. It was rewarding to pass all of the inspections and enjoy the results of many months of hard work. I have a greater appreciation and admiration for those who are in the building trades.
Nehemiah is one of my favorite people in the Bible. He led the effort to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem around 450 BC. He led by example. And, he saw how God helped him overcome many challenges and obstacles. You can read the details in the book of the Bible with his name. Let me encourage you to be willing to work with your own hands to build and repair things around your house. And be willing to help a friend or neighbor too. You will be glad you did and they will too!
Read 365 more articles (one for every day of the year) by Mark Hopper in his book Let Me Encourage You. Order your copy at Markh@efreedb.org. The price is $20 plus postage ($5).
Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper 