Wouldn’t you like to be grounded? Not the kind of grounding that takes teens away from life sustaining needs: telephone, Internet, music, friends. Grounded as in who you are and what you believe.

A good friend of mine described another friend of mine as “grounded.” Wow! It struck me as an awesome description. My friend is a strong woman of faith and conviction, thus grounded in who she is and what she believes.  Any other description would be flattering, but this one had such power behind it. I could see her as strong in her faith, centered on her God, focused on her mission, and sure of herself as a woman of God. What an inspiration!!

Webster’s 1828 defines ground (noun) as “… Foundation; that which supports any thing. This argument stands on defensible ground. Hence, … Fundamental cause; primary reason or original principle. He stated the grounds of his complaint…”

Foundation. Support. Fundamental cause. These are strong words, worthy of consideration of their definitions and meaning.

Webster’s 1828 defines foundation as “… The basis or ground work, or any thing; that on which any thing stands, and by which it is supported. A free government has its foundation in the choice and consent of the people to be governed. Christ is the foundation of the church. Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone - a precious cornerstone. Is. 28. Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1Cor. 3. … Original; rise; as the foundation of the world. … Establishment; settlement…” A foundation is that upon which a thing is built; an idea or tangible building or even a belief. A foundation must support that which is built upon it. Otherwise the building falls and the foundation is destroyed.

Support is equally as strong a base as foundation. “… That which upholds, sustains or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, a foundation of any kind… That which maintains life… the maintenance or sustaining of any thing without suffering it to fail, decline or languish; as the support of health, spirits, strength or courage…”

Fundamental cause in the Principle Approach is that which is causative, primary. What in “grounded” is the primary, the cause? I believe it is knowing, really knowing, what you believe. I don’t think you have to understand everything in the faith, rather you must be assured of your faith. I don’t have to know exactly how Jesus was raised from the dead to be know that He DID raise from the dead not only in spirit, but also in body.

In describing my friend as grounded was saying more than she is a good mom and a well-rounded Christian woman. She is someone to look up to. Her children have a strong foundation and will have that support as they grow. Her God strengthens her and sustains her in faith and life as she seeks Him. She is solid, steady, strong.

Descriptions of people occur daily. What is this person like? How do you describe that person? Nice, kind, pretty are fine, but lack luster and power. However, how many people could be described as grounded?