John Houston - Finding My Way Home: A Journey to Discover Hope and a Life of Purpose

Foreword by John C. Maxwell

Finding My Way Home

A Journey to Discover Hope and Life of Purpose

John Houston

Founder and President of John Houston Custom Homes

Finding My Way Home Journey to Discover Hope and a Life of Purpose

2021 John Houston All rights reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

All Scriptures unless otherwise noted are NIV. In addition, there are passages from The Message, NLT, and from KJV.

Published by Forefront Books.

Written in collaboration with Dick Parker.

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

Cover photo by Meshali Mitchell

ISBN: 978-1-948677-84-4

ISBN: 978-1-948677-85-1 (eBook)

I would like to dedicate this book first to Jesuswithout Him and His love and faithfulness, I would not have a God story.

And I dedicate this book to my wife, Tracy, and our children, Austin and Ashtyn, for giving me a home full of more love than I ever imagined possible.

T heres a one-letter difference between the words hope and home, but in the world of my friend John Houston, theres no difference at all.

Home and hope go hand in hand.

I first met John several years ago during a trip to Guatemala. My nonprofit organizations, the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation and EQUIP, were hosting several key business and community leaders to show them the work we are doing to develop transformational leaders and communities across the globe. Johns heart for investing in people was immediately apparent, and, as we talked, I learned more about his story.

While hes better known for his successful businesses, Johns story doesnt begin with his career; it begins with the tragedy and hardship that shaped his early life. From his parents divorce to the moment he and his brother found themselves alone and on their own, I listened intently as John shared the ways God took care of him and prepared him for his future.

Eventually, John met his wife, Tracy, and discovered the family hed never known. Her parents graciously opened their arms to him and taught him that, in the midst of great pain, God offers greater comfort. As John learned to build a loving home with Tracy, he also learned how to become a leader. Over time, as mentor after mentor invested into his life, John turned his growth into an instrument for Gods glory.

Its no coincidence that Johns career revolves around helping families build their dream homeits what John has worked toward his entire life. Finding My Way Home is Johns story, told openly and honestly with the hope of helping others find their way to God. John uses illustrations from his own life that can help you discover and fulfill your God-given purpose and turn your work into a platform for God.

Maybe youve lost hope, or maybe youre wondering if there is a home for youa place where you truly belong. If thats you, then John Houston has a story you need to read.

Because his story might become your story too.

John C. Maxwell

New York Times Bestselling

Author and Leadership Expert

E very day I drive through neighborhoods in Dallas-Fort Worth area and see dozens of signs reminding me of what I do:

John Houston Custom Homes

The first company we started and continue to lead is a homebuilding business. We have several companies now, but people still introduce me as, John, from John Houston Custom Homes.

Oh, so you build houses.

Yes, I do. In fact, our company builds more than six hundred homes every year, and we are continuing to grow.

But is that really who I am? A few years ago, I realized that something about these introductions just didnt sit right with me, so I spent some time in prayer and sensed God saying to me, John, people often tell you that who you are is what you do. But thats wrong. Thats not who you are, and you need to correct your thinking. You might stop building houses one day. And if you are only what you do, how could you give that up without believing youve lost your whole identity? It was a sobering thought, and one that definitely got my attention.

In my heart, I knew God was right. Long before I was the CEO of my companies, I was a child of God. I am also a husband, father, son, and friend.

But what does that really mean? Husband. Father. Son. Friend. Child of God. I thought I knew. I dedicated my life to Christ decades ago. I graduated from Bible college, worked with the youth group and served as a leader in our church, and gave beyond my familys tithe. Yet God was telling me I didnt understand what it meant to be loved as His child and to let that realization influence every single relationship in my life.

He reminded me of times and places where I had been an unforgiving son to my mother, who had taken her own life, and to my father.

After twenty years of marriage, I was certain I knew what it meant to be a husband and a father. Then I sensed God saying to me, Son, I love you, but you need to understand that you are a condemning, manipulating father and husband. You are leading by law, not by love, because you dont know how to love.

The truths and the evidence God revealed to me were crushing.

But then He said gently, Im going to teach you. Im going to show you how to love by revealing My love to you.

This is the story of how God is teaching mehow He has been teaching me all my life by bringing loving, generous, and forgiving people to me and by revealing Himself through His Word.

My father and mother, sister, brother, and I share a painful history that affects each of us differently, and like all family stories, we have different memories. These are my memories and perspective.

It has been a long journey for me as I continue to discover my true identity and let that truth impact every relationship in my life. I see more clearly our parents love for my siblings and me, and my love for my family grows deeper day by day. As I reflect on the stories here, I realize the irony of God leading me into the homebuilding business. My team and I want to build strong, safe, and beautiful structures for families to create their most cherished memories. But based on my early experiences, I am the least qualified person to truly understand what makes a house a real home with a loving family.

God created a story with my life that puts a spotlight on His mercy and gracea story of my anger and His forgiveness, of the broken family I grew up in and His restoration, of my demanding leadership as a husband and father, and His model for me to lead with love. And because of all He has done for me, I want to help lead others to their eternal home in Him.

I tell that story here, with the hope that you might experience Gods infinite love for you and, like me, find your way home.