The Cracked Foundation

Whatever happened to character?

In September, I focused on the foundation of our home. With Texas clay as the soil, it had shifted. So, it had to be raised and stabilized.

Without a firm foundation, leaks and cracks formed. It would affect not only the brick-and-mortar but also future security.

So we fixed it.

Character is the foundation of how we all live.

Once, we told stories of honesty, perseverance, humility, and courage. I heard stories of Washington cutting down the cherry tree. Lincoln walked miles to return a borrowed book. (The tales may be apocryphal, but they taught a lesson.)

Now, I get overwhelmed with the importance of billionaires and politicians. Society’s new foundation is power and wealth.

A five-year-old, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” answers that they want to be a YouTuber rather than a fireman or astronaut. We adore Musk, Bezos, and their ilk. (Even my grandson asked if I had a YouTube channel. When I told him I did, he wanted to know how many millions of viewers I had. It is really about 70!)

What we value in life has shifted.

For centuries, we cherished who we were…kindness, hard work, integrity. They are virtues sought by men like Franklin and the subject of books read to children at bedtime.

But today, I read it is what you have. The message gets lathered on thicker than a blanket of Vermont snow. Blog posts carry a tone:

• Twelve Ways to Make $10,000 a Week Without Working
• How to Read a Book in 10 Minutes.

Contrast that with Solomon’s writing. He wrote his wisdom to train his son and their successors how to be wise, moral, and effective leaders.

He said:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

Who I am is what I do. Character is the anchor of the affairs of life. A better heart (as Solomon taught) makes better men, which leads to stronger societies.

He says it is not the treasury or rubies or gold that matters, but who a man is in the quiet of his own soul.

So, does character still count?

It does if you want a better society. Homes in which the mother and father are better people will raise better children. Better neighbors make their neighborhoods safer and cleaner.

It makes a better country.

When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam clearly did not get the memo. He was pompous, believing he could do as he pleased as king. The kingdom of Israel split into two parts. Each had its kings, and most were evil men. Over time, both Israel and Judah became either extinct or winnowed of strength.

One day, all must account, not for what they had but for who they are. We get judged by our hearts, not our circumstances.

No nation can stand a leader who emphasizes his power over his character.

Could it be that the real success story is not the billionaire but the man or woman of quiet faith and steady character? I want character, even if it doesn’t make the headlines.

Can we recover the desire for a life of character? It makes us better people, better neighbors, better spouses, better parents.

What if we, quietly but consistently, chose character over comfort, truth over popularity, integrity over convenience? If each person is better, we can all be better.

That is a challenge I want to accept.