--- title: Strengthening Foundations description: Kate Taliaferro finds inspiration about building faith on firm foundations in JRR Tolkein’s 'Lord of the Rings.' image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20210322%20KTaliaferro%202.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/strengthening-foundations#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Strengthening Foundations Mar 22, 2021 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Kate Taliaferro](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/kate-taliaferro) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20210322%20KTaliaferro%202.jpg) *Kate Taliaferro finds inspiration about building faith on firm foundations in JRR Tolkein’s* Lord of the Rings. “Well, that’s not how they would really do it: they would ruin the fuller!” I said to my husband while watching *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*. It was during the scene when the Elves begin to reforge the Sword of Elendil (full disclosure, I’m a big *Lord of the Rings* fan), the sword that originally separated the evil Sauron from his ring of power. A character needs the sword remade so he can make his rightful claim to the throne. But back to my comment before I get carried away. I have no blade smith experience. I have never been in a forge, never worked with metal, nothing. All I have to back up my critical statement of Elven forging techniques comes from watching the History Channel’s show *Forged in Fire*. The show takes 4 blade smiths and asks them to create knives that are tested for strength, durability, and sharpness. So while I may know what it means to quench a blade, to make a hidden tang or the reasons why you would want a fuller, I have absolutely zero practical knowledge about any of these things. As we continue through Lent, it’s good to pause and consider our level of theoretical knowledge vs. practical knowledge. What do we know about God because of Sunday school lessons, what do we know about God because of our intimate experiences of Him? How deep is our faith, and upon what is it grounded? This makes me think of Jesus’ parable about the man who built his house on the sand rather than on rock. ([Matthew 7:24-27](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7)) Without firm, sturdy foundations, the house toppled when tested. > [Lent is a fantastic time to be learning more about your faith so that your foundation can be deep and sturdy, ready to withstand whatever the world may present. #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/Tvp85) The same would happen to me if anyone ever called me to task on my knowledge of blade smithing. My foundation is poor at best, though completely lacking would also be an appropriate description. Is this a likely event, no probably not. But what about my faith? Would I stand on sure ground as I defended it? Would I be confident in sharing it with another? Would I be willing to engage in dialogue with someone about their faith, open to learning about them and what they believe but without being swayed against what I know to be true? Lent is a fantastic time to be learning more about your faith so that your foundation can be deep and sturdy, ready to withstand whatever the world may present. ![20210322 KTaliaferro 1](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20210322%20KTaliaferro%201.jpg?width=1024&name=20210322%20KTaliaferro%201.jpg)     --- Copyright 2021 Kate Taliaferro Image: [Pixabay](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pixabay.com/images/id-512629/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2906Qc5gOBLKsAoH0IdFfd) (2014) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fstrengthening-foundations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fstrengthening-foundations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fstrengthening-foundations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Strengthening%20Foundations) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fstrengthening-foundations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fstrengthening-foundations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Kate Taliaferro](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/KATE%20TALIAFERRO-1.jpeg) ### [Kate Taliaferro](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/kate-taliaferro) Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mom of 6. She has a Masters in Religious Education and tries to find God's presence in all parts of her day, be it cooking, cleaning or just the everyday ordinary. She enjoys homeschooling, stitching crafts and finding cheerios between the couch cushions. She blogs at [Daily Graces](http://dailygraces.net). ## Related Blog Articles [ Rebellions are Built on Hope Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/04/26/rebellions-built-hope) [ A Mother Fully Alive Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/06/28/mother-fully-alive) [ Book Notes: Find a Real Friend in Jesus Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/05/17/book-notes-find-real-friend-jesus) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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