Digging Deep

In a recent conversation, I learned that someone was preparing to have some major work done on their home.  Often times, these topics might seem exciting - maybe a remodel or renovation is in process and there is much to look forward to, like a brand new kitchen or master bath.  In this instance, that is not the case.

Several years ago, there was a severe drought that caused a shift in their foundation.  This shift has created a domino of effects, including a slightly leaning porch, a buckled basement floor, and cracking drywall/plaster.

Repairing the cause of these problems is quite a process; it will involve the digging of 12 holes under the home, and each hole must be dug down until bedrock is found.  From there, a new steel support will be installed in each hole to connect the foundation to the bedrock and ensure that no future shifting will take place.  Thank goodness for amazing people who know how tackle such an undertaking!

Now, hearing about someone's home repairs is pretty common; owning a home means something always needs to be fixed or upgraded.  While this particular repair is bigger than most, and you wish they didn't have to invest so much in a project that will go unseen, it is ultimately a part of life and needs to be done.  So why take the time to write about it?

Not long after this conversation, the details became personal.

drought

foundation

bedrock

Some of my previous writings have documented portions of a personal journey through a difficult season.  And though it would seem as if those years have passed and that part of the journey has ended, the season itself has not, and I have struggled to understand why.  You get hurt; you work through forgiveness.  You realize a certain pursuit is unsuccessful; you grieve, let go, and move forward in a new direction.  But the difficult season drags on and on and on...

A simple conversation made me wonder: what if the challenging years were the DROUGHT that ultimately shifted my FOUNDATION?  What if plenty of rain has fallen since then and the repairs that have been done thus far were important and necessary, but the DROUGHT went so deep that I'm now needing to dig deeper than ever before in order to hit BEDROCK and build new support?

These thoughts have been ruminating in my mind.  I wonder if you can relate?

The circumstances of life have been excruciating for many people over the past few years.  Difficulties have gone to the extreme, far beyond what we have previously seen or experienced.  Maybe you have been through a DROUGHT like me.  And maybe the rain that has fallen has been necessary - and even refreshing - but it just hasn't been enough.  Maybe your FOUNDATION shifted and you didn't even know it.

Dictionary.com defines BEDROCK as "unbroken solid rock, bottom layer, firm foundation" - the word "fundamental" is also used.

Bringing repair to a shifted or unstable foundation requires going to depths not previously accessed in order to find what is unbroken, solid, and firm, and building up from the bottom until the foundation is level once again.

Finding bedrock is not a simple process.  One website estimated that the engineers may need to dig anywhere from 25-70 feet below the surface to find it.  Imagine digging 70 feet for each of 12 supports to make a home level and secure!  That's a LOT of work.

I think it's also safe to say that if a season of drought has affected your foundation, it will take significant time and investment to go deep, sift through the unstable soil, and begin to locate the solid, fundamental layer of truth on which to establish your life's support.  I'm believing it will be worth it to know the depth of those roots and be able to step forward securely into all that lies ahead.

For me, I plan to keep digging.  Portions of my foundation are already secure, so I just need to keep identifying what has shifted during this extreme drought and tackle the hard work of going deep and putting new supports in place.

Be encouraged that there IS solid ground below you and you are not the only one digging for it!  Feel free to message me if you need someone to talk to.