Building the New Year on a Firm Foundation

Construction is in my blood. My father was a builder, my grandfather a lumber yard owner.

As a child, Sunday afternoons often meant a walk-through of Daddy’s houses under construction. I loved the smell of lumber and identifying each room as we moved through the house.

Often, I saw houses at the foundation stage. It was during one of those observations that Daddy talked me through the process of laying a firm foundation. As was his way, he not only explained the practical part of building a solid foundation, (leveling with a plumb line, digging and pouring sturdy footings, and laying brick piers), he also taught me about building a solid spiritual foundation.

Following are thoughts on building 2026 on a firm foundation:

Priorities

So many people and activities vie for our attention that establishing priorities is crucial to building a firm foundation. Priorities help us focus energy and time on what is truly important.

On your list of priorities, include adequate rest, exercise, periods of reflection and spiritual nourishment, time with family and friends, and activities that foster creativity and growth.

Sometimes, we drift into routines that thwart mental growth and physical activity. Set priorities and adhere to them, providing the impetus for forward motion.

Self-Care

Many view self-care as selfish, but caring for yourself is a gift to yourself and those who love you.

Self-care is especially vital if you are serving as a caregiver. Caregiving usurps physical and mental energy, making it easy to fall into a pattern of ignoring caring for yourself. I neglected self-care, without even realizing it, during the years I was a caregiver for my mother. After her death, I confronted several health issues related to my neglect of self-care.

Self-care is not selfish, so don’t be lulled into that mindset. Take care of yourself through rest, times of relaxation, and periods of stress relief. This may require accessing respite care, even if a loved one is opposed to it. Remember, you are the only one who can make self-care a priority.

Digging Deeply

Part of a firm life foundation involves perspective and mindset. Just as a strong building foundation requires digging down before you can build up, so a firm life foundation comes from digging into attitudes, hurts, and hang-ups that prevent a healthy perspective.

Has someone hurt or offended you? Forgive. Do you struggle with competitiveness and jealousy? Stop comparisons and look at all the ways you are blessed. Do you frame everything through a negative lens? Look for positives and adjust your mindset to see goodness.

None of us like to view areas of weakness in ourselves, but digging deeply into our inner nature, and assessing what we find, helps us grow and change.

Spiritual Nourishment and Growth

I’m thankful I had a father who taught faith lessons along with practical advice. Daddy understood that building a spiritual foundation on bedrock was crucial to a life of faith and service. Daddy had lived through war and captivity, but he was able to overcome those experiences because he established his life on a firm faith foundation through spiritual nourishment and growth.

Is building a spiritual foundation a priority for you? In this new year, decide to build, or strengthen, a spiritual foundation and watch your life change in ways you never expected.

“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” (Luke 6:47-48 NIV).

©CandyArrington

Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

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