My parents moved to the city, where we still live, in the 60's and started their family here. One of my two brothers and his family still live here. By the 90's, my mother's siblings starting moving here, one by one, because of their jobs and most of their kids have made their homes here as adults. The last of my mother's three siblings to move is currently building a house and he and his wife will retire here from Texas as soon as it's done. You could say that I'm pretty blessed to be surrounded by so much of my family.

A couple of weeks ago, Davis and I went out to see their house in progress. I wanted to see where they'd be living and, since my uncle was here that week, he could give us the guided tour. We got to the quiet, gated community and found their lot on the beautiful lake. The blocks were set and the rebar and all that other stuff that sticks up out of the ground were in place. The only thing missing was the concrete and that was due to be poured later that week. We stood on the packed red dirt and looked out at the view he'd soon be enjoying from his family room. We could envision the seasonal treats they were in for as we counted the maple and dogwood trees. The geese were flying across the water. A crane stood on his neighbor's dock. There was the slow hum of a boat trolling past us. Nothing like the noise and rush of Houston that they'll be leaving behind soon.

Knowing how important this first step in construction was, Uncle Paul had made a special trip to be here for the foundation process. As we walked around "inside" the house on our tour, he and Davis talked about the rebar and how things were tied into this and that for extra stability. You know how that kind of thing fascinates the men folk. Honestly, my eyes glazed over about then and I tuned out when the substructure talk started. I know it's the most important part of building, but, as a woman, I'd really prefer skipping ahead to the countertops and brick color.

Even after the thrill of building is gone, don't you hate when you have to sink a lot of money into some invisible maintenance? We live outside the city limits and so I know it has warmed my heart, each and every time, we've had to write a check to the septic tank man. Or when we've forked over money to fix an electrical problem. A water heater issue. An HVAC situation. I'd much rather update a bathroom or put in a pool over investing our resources into something that's buried in the backyard or stuck away in the attic somewhere. When we spend money on our houses, we want it to be on something pretty. You may want to repaint. Maybe install some new landscaping. New furniture is always nice. Update the kitchen. Put in some French doors. We can always think of aesthetic investments we'd like to make over maintaining the structural bones of the place. 

We, women, know a little bit about foundations, too, you know. I decided it was time to go bra shopping, the other day. You, ladies, know how that elasticity starts to fall down on the job in those things and this and that can start drooping more than this and that should. And I'd rather do anything than go shop for underthings across that vast, confusing acreage of supportive devices.

I remember, years ago, when my Mama would get notices in the mail that the "bra-fitting specialist" was going to be at one of the department stores. For her, it was right up there with Christmas and all the other holidays on which the banks close. She'd plan her whole bra buying experience around these "bra days" and base her selections on the infinite knowledge of this so-called foundation expert. Was there some kind of bra college that she'd attended? Maybe an impressive array of bra plaques and girdle certificates covered her office walls- I'm not sure. She was just outstanding in her field, I suppose, and my mother urged me to come along, each year, so I could get properly fitted. She talked about it like it would be life changing, but I imagined that being cooped up in the small dressing room with the said bra expert would be more effort and discomfort than I was interested in investing.

So, without any professional help, I navigated my own way through the tiresome process, yesterday. We, ladies, require a lot of foundation garments to help maintain our structure, so to speak. And, my word, they cost a fortune. You'll leave the store with a teeny, tiny bag and a big ol' receipt. They are definitely an investment. Oh, I'd much rather buy a new dress or a pair of boots. Maybe some sweaters or cute tops. Something that looks good on me and, when I go out, people can actually see I have something new. But, without those foundations and invisible underthings, we'd all look like busted cans of biscuits or, as they say on Steel Magnolias- "like two pigs fightin' under a blanket". Heaven forbid, even like some of those pictures you see on the People of Wal-Mart. No matter how much that new dress costs, without the right things under there to support it, well, there'd just be humps and lumps, where humps and lumps ought not be. Necklines wouldn't be the only things plunging if we didn't have the right support underneath that designer dress.  

Seems like our world has become obsessed with the finishes and the wrappings. The bells and whistles. Maybe it's always been this way, I don't know, but social media certainly hasn't helped. It has us wanting to invest most of our time and resources into the things that other people can see. It pressures us to put on impressive shows for each other, because presentation is everything, these days. But, sometimes, if we back off and turn our heads just right, we'll notice there's not much underneath all the shiny stuff we drape over ourselves. There's nothing really significant supporting the façade. The footings are shallow. The ground is constantly shifting. So many beautiful veneers, but nothing solid holding it all up. I guess you could say we have a lot that's shimmering in the store window, but there's not much in stock.

Foundations take investments of time and commitment, but they're essential for stability. May we be the kind of women, who are more concerned with our attitudes over our appearances. Our homes over our houses. His ideals over our images. Our children's spirits over their sports. The eternal over the instant. Our purpose over our profile. God's approval over man's applause. And may we be the ones to stand up and commit to laying a firm foundation for ourselves and our families instead of worrying about prettying it all up for others to see. Then, we'll be found faithful and able to stand against whatever might come.

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built." 
Luke 6:48

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by the builders which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:11-12

Y'all have a great day!