It can be, of course, true that the more mindful you are of a certain thing, the more you begin to find how obvious it has been all along if you had been observant. Five days ago, I published questions about the description and definition of faith. Each day, my sensitivity to this word has grown to the place where I hear it clearly in other's passing conversation and see it boldly in random readings.
Today a friend shared, ''Faith: it does not make things easy... It makes them possible.' I like this. It is comfy.
But (sigh), the reference was then given of Luke 1:37. Luke 1:37 speaks of possibilities. It brags on the sheer might of my Lord. But faith?
I searched forward and then backward a few verses.
Reading one verse alone is like gazing only at the hat of Frank Sinatra and calculating the moral nature to resonate from this performing gentleman. While his fedora surely points (accurately) to a specific time and culture, character far exceeds appearance. Similarly, one verse alone, may point to a specific conclusion but sure accuracy can not be gained without knowledge of the passage at large.
What a delight to read Luke chapter 1! Go ahead. Read it for yourself. Faith? I think so!
More faith verses that I am studying (in context of the larger passage, of course)...
Romans 1:17
Romans 10:17
Luke 24:32
2 Peter 1:5-7
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
Faith prayer #1
Prayer is not a personal strength of mine. It is embarrassing and difficult to admit that.
It is a skill that I have persued through study and practice throughout the last four years. I often find it overwhelming to pray. Isn't prayer one of the most vulnerable and raw positions that one can assume? It is for me.
- more on this later -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In faith, we have chosen together, as a family, to pray over situations and circumstances that lend us to anxiety...
Three weeks ago, we became aware that our family checkbook could not be found. We searched. Passively passed blame softly in each other's direction. Searched again... With no prize.
We prayed disingenuous words and hoped the blue treasure would reveal itself. As two weeks passed, it became more and more difficult to proceed without check writing ability. My husband gathered the kids to pray once more, with earnest, and made preparations to continue our finances.
Last night, as I lie in a half dream-discombobulated state, my Love entered the bedroom to announce his surprise... The lost checkbook had been found.
Money management continues. Balances corrected. A blessing of answered prayer.
It is a skill that I have persued through study and practice throughout the last four years. I often find it overwhelming to pray. Isn't prayer one of the most vulnerable and raw positions that one can assume? It is for me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In faith, we have chosen together, as a family, to pray over situations and circumstances that lend us to anxiety...
Three weeks ago, we became aware that our family checkbook could not be found. We searched. Passively passed blame softly in each other's direction. Searched again... With no prize.
We prayed disingenuous words and hoped the blue treasure would reveal itself. As two weeks passed, it became more and more difficult to proceed without check writing ability. My husband gathered the kids to pray once more, with earnest, and made preparations to continue our finances.
Last night, as I lie in a half dream-discombobulated state, my Love entered the bedroom to announce his surprise... The lost checkbook had been found.
Money management continues. Balances corrected. A blessing of answered prayer.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
'Real' faith
Only yesterday, I, with great care, gathered my thoughts into questions begging a definition and description of faith.
Today, I lie reading. Not researching my questions but in respite, soaking in quiet, sustaining devotions. And I read:
Real faith isn't the belief that God will do a particular thing; real faith is the conviction that God is good, no matter what He does and however He chooses to answer our prayers.*
Should I be surprised at this answer offered at suspiciously coincidental timing? Isn't this the journey I am looking for?
*quote from Trust: A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback
Today, I lie reading. Not researching my questions but in respite, soaking in quiet, sustaining devotions. And I read:
Real faith isn't the belief that God will do a particular thing; real faith is the conviction that God is good, no matter what He does and however He chooses to answer our prayers.*
Should I be surprised at this answer offered at suspiciously coincidental timing? Isn't this the journey I am looking for?
*quote from Trust: A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback
Friday, July 4, 2014
Can someone explain FAITH to me?!
Faith:
A) Trust in that which is impossible to prove.
B) Confidence, hope, belief.
C) Acceptance of divine authority.
D) Other
My question, truly, is: What does FAITH look like? But does that not beg a definition of faith itself?
Would vivid descriptions of color patterns help me accurately comprehend the grace and majestic grander of a giraffe if my limited experience led me to assume giraffe referenced an article of clothing?
Similarly, a miscommunication of the most basic elements of faith would consequently defigure any visual of it that I aim to portray.
Someone please clearly verbalized the raw elements of faith to me!
A) Trust in that which is impossible to prove.
B) Confidence, hope, belief.
C) Acceptance of divine authority.
D) Other
My question, truly, is: What does FAITH look like? But does that not beg a definition of faith itself?
Would vivid descriptions of color patterns help me accurately comprehend the grace and majestic grander of a giraffe if my limited experience led me to assume giraffe referenced an article of clothing?
Similarly, a miscommunication of the most basic elements of faith would consequently defigure any visual of it that I aim to portray.
Someone please clearly verbalized the raw elements of faith to me!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Crawl before you walk
Just walk.
Faith is a journey. Is walking too arduous of a request? Just walk. It is quite simple!
What is simple is often misrepresented as easy. My wish is to not imply that distortion but, instead, evidence a daily life lesson (my life lesson) in being led.
Here is my one-step-at-a-time trek; documented as a memorial, encouragement, challenge. Here is my walk/stumble/hobble/journey/adventure. Here is recorded the miracles in slow motion that I would forget or glorify myself in or simply neglect, if I had continued to refuse to release them to these writings.
Prepare to be amazed. Amazed in the simple love, steady guidance, and common occurrences that paint a glorious visual of the Lord's love over us.
Faith is a journey. Is walking too arduous of a request? Just walk. It is quite simple!
What is simple is often misrepresented as easy. My wish is to not imply that distortion but, instead, evidence a daily life lesson (my life lesson) in being led.
Here is my one-step-at-a-time trek; documented as a memorial, encouragement, challenge. Here is my walk/stumble/hobble/journey/adventure. Here is recorded the miracles in slow motion that I would forget or glorify myself in or simply neglect, if I had continued to refuse to release them to these writings.
Prepare to be amazed. Amazed in the simple love, steady guidance, and common occurrences that paint a glorious visual of the Lord's love over us.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Falling
A difficult night was followed by a busy morning. We ate, were dressed with hair done and ready to leave for my 38wk OB appointment before 9am this morning. Eva rocked at breakfast but I was determined to not allow it to bother me. The 45 minute ride to the doctor was uneventful and peaceful. We were one of two cars in the parking lot... this should be quick and easy! It was. Except that everyday activities with Eva are not always the same as with other children. Eva immediately climbed onto a stool in the exam room. She sat behind the head of the examination bed that I sat on, waiting to get my blood pressure checked. Then there was a thud and an intense cry. I jumped up knowing... knowing Eva had fallen... rocked herself off the side of the stool and fell on the hard, cold floor. The nurse was kind and I completely ignored what she had been trying to do to me (BP check) and held Eva. Though she could have been cruel or impatient, the nurse spoke kind, soft words and handed Eva tissues. It took Eva a few minutes to calm down, but it was I who was nearly in tears myself. This SHOULDN'T happen. She should be able to sit on a stool without rocking off!
Every time she rocks, it feels like she leaves me
Eva's rocking has dramatically increased the last two weeks. I have found no cause for this. I beg her to stop. Then I demand her to stop... without success.
Last night I woke up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. Tired but calm I laid, willing myself to restful dreams. Without warning, I was overcome with an image of Eva rocking. The distant look she often has was in her eyes. Her one leg was pointed out awkwardly as usual when she rocks, and her hands were across her chest. I couldn't get her to stop and I couldn't get the picture to go away. I kept seeing her but couldn't get her to relax. I felt that she was stuck at a distance.
The rocking does that: It reminds me of the distance that has been between us before when she wouldn't allow me to hold her. It reminds me of the distance she has overcome in terms of therapy. It reminds me that I am still not in control and she can leave me at that distance at any moment, and no matter how much I beg, I can't make her come to me.
I cried. It was 4am. I cried for a long time finally falling asleep in tears. I woke up and the tears still come.
Last night I woke up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. Tired but calm I laid, willing myself to restful dreams. Without warning, I was overcome with an image of Eva rocking. The distant look she often has was in her eyes. Her one leg was pointed out awkwardly as usual when she rocks, and her hands were across her chest. I couldn't get her to stop and I couldn't get the picture to go away. I kept seeing her but couldn't get her to relax. I felt that she was stuck at a distance.
The rocking does that: It reminds me of the distance that has been between us before when she wouldn't allow me to hold her. It reminds me of the distance she has overcome in terms of therapy. It reminds me that I am still not in control and she can leave me at that distance at any moment, and no matter how much I beg, I can't make her come to me.
I cried. It was 4am. I cried for a long time finally falling asleep in tears. I woke up and the tears still come.
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