I am often struck by the number of homes some people have lived in. The path that life takes us tends to dictate that number. The styles of the homes vary as much as the number. Think about your own journey. How many places have you called home? Think about all the chores involved in taking care of the space. There’s cleaning to be done, leaks to be repaired, busted pipes to be replaced, kitchens to be renovated and so many other things. The to-do list seems endless. Sometimes we decide that the space is no longer a fit for us and we decide it’s best to move to another location. We think good riddance!

Our bodies are also our home and while they can be repaired, parts can be replaced and many parts can be rejuvenated, there is not the option to move to another location. One body equals one location. Our body is our greatest asset. They have gone under contract. They have been paid for and we are to be good stewards of them. How are you doing with that? Let’s do an inspection by starting at the very beginning.

Before the foundation can be laid, the earth had to be dug out. There is nothing like the upheaval of soil. It’s forced from its resting place and tossed to the side like covers thrown off a body that’s too warm. The emptiness becomes an ideal place for building to take place. Are there things in your life that need to be unearthed and pushed to the side so that building can take place? After that work is done, the foundation is ready to be laid. This is important work because it supports everything that’s to come. The foundation needs to be solid, sure, and firm. Do you have a solid foundation? If not, what is it that you need to firm up? Soon the crawl space is built. Most of the time, looking around in a crawl space requires crawling on your hands and knees. This position allows some up close observations. I once read that if you want to succeed faster, you have to fall faster. A fast fall usually lands you on your knees! That is a hard, but great place to be. It puts you in a posture of prayer, humbleness and it stirs an eagerness to rise. You are able to see things previously unnoticed or neglected. You will be able to see if the foundation is secure. Sometimes you may see something that requires an exterminator. Are there things in your crawl space that need to be removed? The work done there will help to ensure that what is built next is secure. Layer by layer, your home is built.

Soon you’ll have walls, roof, pipes, insulation, gutters and the makings of a house near completion. The roof and walls will provide you protection from the outside elements. Have you secured healthy walls of protection? Are those enclosed pipes secured tightly and made of a substance that is not easily cracked? Do you need to replace some leaky pipes? Those slow drips can over time cause some extensive damage. Identify your leaks and repair them today! After the roof is installed, it is a good idea to get those gutters in place very soon. They help to ensure proper drainage. If they get clogged, they are not able to work as well. Are there situations, circumstances or people causing your gutter to be clogged? If so, it’s time for some de-clogging! Many roofs will have a chimney. They can be a beautiful addition, but one that requires careful observation. The fire that the chimney supports will need to be replenished, stoked and observed frequently. Is there an area in your life that needs to be replenished, stoked or needs some special attention? Chimneys are associated with smoke and fire. We know where there is smoke, there is often fire. Has your body been giving you some smoke signals serving as a warning that a fire is imminent, if issues are not soon addressed?

What’s a living space without windows, doors and steps? Windows serve two purposes. You can peer out and in. Peering out allows you to look out with hope. It helps you set your sights on things not yet obtained. You can catch a glimpse of hope on the horizon. Looking inward calls for lots of self-reflection. What needs to be addressed for you to become healthy? What doors do you need to open to walk onto a path towards wholeness? What steps do you have to take? Are you ready to start? If so, join the movement!