Faith

The year 2009 came to an very unexpected end for my family. We were not mentally prepared for the attack that came, we didn't see it coming... but one thing was certain- We were SPIRITUALLY prepared. You see, as a child, my parents made decision to "Train me up in the way I should go". I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Christian school and we were a part of a great church. Church and school were not the only two places where the foundation of my faith was laid. My mom and dad lived a life of faith, morality, and walked a close walk with God. They showed me how to not just say I was a Christian, but rather they built a relationship with Christ. We've all heard- You don't just need religion, you need a relationship. The difference to me between these two is that religion can just be words, but a relationship with Christ requires effort, communion, and interaction. All of that said... Mom and Dad taught and showed me how to have faith. Faith.. the hope/belief of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 says- The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.

The last 35 days have been a true test of that faith. We have watched my mom struggle to recover from a vicious attack on her body. The enemy was underhanded and attacked her brain. My thought is that he knew her mind held so much of the Word of God, so much that she had studied.. but what the enemy didn't know was that MY MOM didn't just store the Word in her head, she stored it in her heart, in her spirit. Although the last month has been a struggle for her to recovery, it is very evident that her faith is still there, still strong, and pushing her through.

A month before all of these events, I was praying and asked the Lord to meet a certain need. He told me.. "I will meet this need, but you must remember to have faith that I will do what I say that I will and leave NO room for doubt." I thought.. that sounds simple enough. Faithful to His Word, God answered that initial prayer that I had prayed. Then when my dad called to say that my mom had been taken to the hospital, the phrase-Leave no room for doubt, came back to me. So many of our family and friends have stood so graciously with us, praying and believing that God would restore Mom's health and heal her wounds (Jeremiah 30:17). But I want to say, it's not just this promise that has held my faith.. there are teachers, children's church workers, pastors and of course, my parents that took the time to teach me that God is faithful to what His Word says. He will make this crooked path straight.. He hears my prayers and He WILL heal my mom.

So remember, whether you're a parent or teacher, or whatever door opportunity to plant a seed of faith in a child's heart.. you might not see that flower bloom today, but knows when they'll need it and your labor is not in vain! Lay a strong foundation of faith for your family because you never know when that faith will seemingly rise up and carry you ALL through.