My father was a builder, so I grew up walking construction sites with him. One of the lessons Daddy taught me was the importance of constructing a firm foundation, when building and in life. As a child, I was able to grasp that life lesson because I had a concrete visual of blocks, piers, and brick. I’m thankful I learned the value of a firm foundation at an early age, because now, that foundation is keeping me upright in this difficult season of life.
Following are reflections on foundational life elements:
Keep the Foundation Strong
Last year, I discovered a hole in the sill of the door from the deck to the sunroom. We haven’t used that door in years and had lost the key for it (see Finding the Key). That little hole allowed critters to crawl through and water to seep into the subfloor. I discovered the hole, but it took someone with a trained eye to notice water damage under the house.
Sometimes, outside elements cause a foundation to fail. Intense weather, shifting soil, age, and insects all factor in. Decay and deterioration are always at work. Sometimes, we know an issue with the foundation exists, but ignore it. Other times, we are unaware until someone or something brings it to our attention.
Maintaining a rock-solid life foundation requires vigilance. Much of today’s culture is designed to erode spiritual and moral foundations just like shifting soil under a solid foundation.
Foundation Shakers
Loss and grief are unwanted co-companions that threaten to shake your foundation. In the heartache and shock of loss, and the bog of grief that follows, it’s not unusual to question yourself, God, and everything else you once knew to be true. But don’t allow grief, or anything else, to crumble your foundation. Your world may quake and your foundation sway, but stand firm, despite what people say or Satan temps you to believe.
Finding a Firm Footing
I’m so thankful for my faith heritage, and generations of family members who modeled facing life’s difficulties with trust and God-given confidence. I’m grateful my parents, grandparents, and other family members taught by example and underscored the importance of discipline, honesty, integrity, trust and the synonymous nature of your name with these qualities. A firm footing enhances forward motion.
Understanding Your Foundation
Perhaps you didn’t grow up with a firm foundation. Maybe everything about your life was on shifting sand, unstable and uncertain. If this is true for you, it’s not too late to shore up your foundation or begin from the ground up.
Many don’t see the need for a spiritual foundation, reasoning that anything spiritual is a crutch and unnecessary in dealing with the realities of life for those who are educated and enlightened. However, a spiritual foundation is the stability that keeps you upright when life situations and unexpected events quake your world. Maintaining and growing your spiritual foundation ensures you can withstand whatever you are facing now, or will face in the future. God faithfully provides a firm footing despite life challenges.
“It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation” (Proverbs 24:3 MSG).
©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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