TWENTY-THREE

"Without that foundation of faith, we would never have
been able to get through some of the tests
and trials that have come our way..."

On p. 23 of Going Rogue, Sarah is discussing the firm religious foundation that her mom and dad gave to her. They were very vigilant about church attendance! She says:

"Without that foundation of faith, we would never have been able to get through some of the tests and trials that have come our way."

"Foundation of faith": this is the sort of phrase, with its nice alliteration, that we can take for granted; it is easy to pass it over without really reflecting on its meaning and significance. I think that, in fact, it deserves closer examination.

What is a foundation? It is the "base" or "basis," in the literal Greek sense of the term, on which anything rests. It can be a physical foundation, as in the case of a building, or a non-physical one, as in the case, for example, of the laws and principles upon which a Republic rests. What then are some of the pertinent properties of a "basis" or "foundation"?

One is that, even in the case of a physical "foundation," it can be almost invisible to the casual eye. Its strength or weakness can often only be revealed when tremendous stress is brought to bear on the edifice or entity that sits and rests on that foundation.

Closely related to this factor is the principle that the stronger, the firmer, the deeper that the foundation is, the more lasting, the more permanent, the more enduring will be the structure raised on top of it.

This truth helps to explain and justify the wisdom of those who, perceiving the necessity of a strong "basis" for anything that is worthwhile, will often labor for years and seemingly accomplish little. Lesser minds will querulously question, "Why aren't you doing anything; where are the results??"

In the face of the cavils and quibbles of such people, the wise man or woman will continue patiently and persistently to labor at laying a "foundation," whether it be physical, intellectual, or spiritual, that shall be able to sustain and support a mighty and gracious edifice, one that will survive the jealous probing and testing of times and circumstances and crises!!

Herein we may perceive a certain wisdom that is contained in the Latin word altus. This word may signify either "high" (cf. our "altitude") or "deep." Indeed, the deeper, the stronger the foundation is, the higher and more lasting will be the finished work that is enthroned on top of it.

Now, lest this post become too long :-), I shall proceed, quickly and succinctly, to the "faith" part of the phrase "foundation of faith."

When a person sets out to construct something, he or she will try to anticipate and forestall the various stresses or pressures that may be brought to bear on the edifice, physical or non-physical, that is being raised. The "basis," the foundation, will be laid in accordance with the perceived forces that may work against the completed structure.

However, none of us can see with the eyes of the Lord. What is it, however, that gives us a certain access to the Eternal Vision of God? It is faith in Him.

Yes, we cannot see with God's eyes; we cannot see what our future holds; we cannot perceive what the motivations are that lie in the hearts of others; we cannot foresee what the ultimate results may be of actions that we take today--but THE LORD SEES ALL THIS.

And when we trust Him, when we have faith in Him, we are given a certain link to Him that is beyond our natural powers.

Hence, a "foundation of faith (in God)" is one that supersedes and surpasses in firmness and staying power any human construct, whether it is tangible or intangible. It rests on Eternal Wisdom. The Lord knows the plans and works He has in store for each one of us. Hence, He knows what must constitute our "foundation."

Well did our Sarah build, under the aegis and loving shadow of the hand of God. Well and wisely did our precious Sarah set her "foundation." All through those long, quiet years, hidden away in the Great Land of the North, the land of Seward's dreams, she was patiently building, building, building her "basis." In the "fullness of her times," in these fateful days for her and for our Republic, the winds of the Revolution of the 60s have become the whirlwind of today's culmination of that Revolution.

The winds of the Left blew; they pounded; they strove with might and main against our brave, beautiful Sarah, but all in vain. Instead of destroying her, they have served to reveal the true strength of her foundation, her foundation of faith. She built well; she still stands; she, like our flag at Fort McHenry (The Star-Spangled Banner), is "still there." She will always be "there," that is "here," here for her family, here for her State, here for all of us, for all of America!!!

Deo gratias--

thanks be to God!!!

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