But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who builds his house on sand. Matthew 7:26

Foundations and cornerstones, their purpose is to supply integrity of strength and stability to a building. All other stones, bricks or materials for construction are set in reference to the cornerstone and depend on a sturdy foundation. Hopefully, the structure is situated on something stronger than sand. Quality building, learning, writing, or relationships begin with attention to the foundation.

Now here is where I get personal. My foundation does depend upon my relationship to the Lord first and foremost. When His presence touches that wounded or jubilant place in my heart, mind, and spirit then the foundation for my relationships or writing or whatever needs my attention is securely set. Out from that safe place of relationship, flows ideas, dreams, and grace that I could not have hoped to imagine before.

It has been said in the book called, Wired For Story by Lisa Cron that our brains are hardwired for story. To quote her, “Story helps us survive not only in the life-and-death physical sense but also in a life-well-lived social sense.” Maybe that is why our Lord spoke in parables. He reached into that place where our minds hunger for truth, for survival, and quality relationships. We desire to know why, how, and when to do something. How do we react or respond? We want to watch or read how a character handles a knotty situation without physically experiencing the trial. I believe we are motivated by story because we want to apply what we learn. Story teaches us to be courageous, clever, and offers us a blueprint for what could possibly work in our own tragedies and difficulties that life tosses our way. We want to be accepted, appreciated, and be smart when it comes to our accomplishments and decisions.

You may have a story or poem burning in your heart today. You may have a true story or memoir, which needs to be written. My advice is to know your characters so well that the story emerges from their situation or pain. I believe that fiction is an important vehicle for tapping into teaching others how to make good choices. Fiction is useful. It’s not just entertainment or fluff. Not if we are responsible about learning how to write those characters and their situations so strongly that the reader will think they are looking into the mirror. I believe if we do listen to Jesus’s words and apply them to our lives habitually, then we will write about those concerns hardwired to the everyday mind. People are searching for reason and purpose.  What is that gut wrenching truth our reader has to know? What is it they anxiously fear? What is imperative to their life socially and spiritually? What can we write that matters for our readers to believe so that they can apply truth to their life? The gauntlet has been tossed to you writer, will you accept the challenge to write about essential, worthy matters that will encourage or provide that blueprint to your readers before they turn off the lights and consider some other dream?

Consider your foundations and please don’t build on sand.

 This is a re-share for I'd written this in March 2013.

Last week on April 27 I meant to advertise that Christian Devotions would publish my devotion that day. Last week was an absolute whirlwind of activity so that post  information wasn't shared until late.

This fine morning while checking out the Christian Devotions  website more thoroughly, I discovered that there is an 'Author List' and when you click the name of the author underneath the author photo you can see the list of devotions she or he had published on Christian Devotions! I wanted to make it easy for my visitors to find my links.

Also, I've signed up for the daily devotional emails and have really benefited from those readings!  Here are my shares, I hope you visit those devotions. May God's rich blessings and joy be had for you this day!

Many More Things
https://www.christiandevotions.us/viewblogentry/1795
 
 
Grace, Grace, God’s Grace
https://www.christiandevotions.us/viewblogentry/1217