FOUNDATIONS PART 1

 

Reaching 60 years old, I began to look back on what has changed positively as well as negatively. I have always believed that looking back has always been where we see knowledge become wisdom. We can always do the same thing and never get anywhere.

Our foundational upbringing is where we gain our physical, financial, and spiritual foundations. And let me break it down a little. I was personally raised on Tortillas and Sopas which are not good for our body. Born in government housing, my parents bought their first home in 1970.

I was reminded of a history study about the city of Jerusalem. I learned that the city had been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. From a religious perspective, the Bible, which mentions Jerusalem more than any other place (about 800 times), states, “the Lord has chosen Jerusalem and will dwell there forever” (Psalm 132:13-14) and expressly calls upon God's people to never forget Jerusalem and to “exalt it above their chief joy” (Psalm 137:5-6). And Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

I believe a foundation was set by being the city where Jesus was crucified, Died, Buried and Resurrected. But as the city has been fought for, destroyed, and rebuilt, it gives me an example of a foundation being built even if it was rebuilt over the rubble of war. Foundations can be restructured in life when we understand the true foundation is the Lord!

Foundations are essential in homes that we live in whether it is concrete or even a foundation built on plain dirt. I worked in construction early in life and the one thing that stood out was that we had to shift dirt from one site to another using heavy machinery. But every layer of dirt had to be compacted and tested for density. The data is used for support of building foundations, roads, or any other earth retaining structures.

In my studies I recognized the word “Earth” is repeated. But we all know the main scripture in Genesis 1:1 says that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. Our Father began teaching us since the inception of the earth that nothing can be built without a foundation. Glory to God!

Several articles I’ve read speak on the foundations of the family. But the truth is that we are witnessing a downward spiral in our country and have been for years. Maybe, you remember someone speaking to you and giving guidance. I remember my Mom warning me that whatever I did in life, whether good or bad would come with a price. Of course, financially, spiritually or physically!

We all know that the family unit continues to be under attack. According to an article, it is likely that 39% of marriages today will end in divorce, and that divorce can be financially devastating. Statistics indicate that more than 30% of child support payments are never paid and less than 50% are paid in full. Divorce is especially hard on women aged 50+, who generally suffer a 45% decrease in their standard of living. The family is where the foundations are built.

I found this interesting; In an effort to understand what creates a successful and fulfilling life, Harvard Medical School began to track 268 male students in 1938, and followed them through their lives. The results gathered over the decades have been astounding and have added much to the understanding of what promotes real success, or “flourishing,” in life. The researchers determined that regardless of one's socioeconomic status, the greatest predictor of life success was one's capacity for warm, intimate relationships, with spouse, family, parents, and friends. I hope you can see why the family is being attacked.

The enemy is dancing in joy due to the deterioration of the family and the wickedness we are witnessing in these distressing times. No one is exempt. Understand that even Christian families today find themselves divided and facing extraordinary challenges.

Thankfully, God has created the family to give us strength and a firm foundation for our society, and to be a safe haven against the storms of life. Of course, no family is perfect – all families have a few “rough edges!” But if your family or any other family you may know, is in need of a total makeover?

Please share and subscribe to our blog for further messages to share with you.