Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

This bible verse has been on my heart for days and I wasn’t sure why.  I thought it was because this verse has been my saving grace numerous times.   Especially last summer when Satan was busy attacking me and my faith was shaken.   I didn’t know which way to turn, but God knew.  He knew to place in the right place at the right time, to hear a sermon on how important unshakable faith is.  I remember the pastor delivering his sermon and as he spoke, it was as if he was speaking directly and only to me.  I had an aha moment, sitting and listening with tears running down my face, I knew I had to rebuild my faith in him. Which I immediately began doing.

As I look back on that memory, I’m thankful he had me in a place to hear that sermon.  Since then, I’ve often prayed and asked him to allow me to offer the same faithful words to others if they needed.  My time came yesterday, when I received some news from a dear friend.  As we talked, she informed me she didn’t know if she no longer had faith.  I began to tell her of my aha moment and lead her to this bible verse.  I also reminded her, Satan is always going to be on the attack for followers and believers of God, and one way he attacks is to shake our faith.  Causing us to give up on our faith in him, but the devil is a lie!!  I encouraged her, to begin to rebuild her faith.  I suggested she begin to talk to him, as her children do with her, for he’s always listening to his children and be patient to see what happens next.

While I know I’m a continued work in progress, I also know he’s delighted to have me as his child!!!  I’m thankful he gave me an opportunity to share how magnificent his faithfulness is.  As I mature, I pray I can continue to nurture my faith in him, for it’s truly the substance of things hoped for…

Sincerely,

DWIC2S

Faith Walks

As a child of God, we’re sometimes encouraged to walk by faith.  The bible is full of these stories.  At the time, we have no idea what can happen, it’s because of our faith we endure.  Faith walks can have long lasting effects and in his timing all is revealed… 

I have many recollections of faith walks my mother took and teaching her children to do the same.  This is one of those walks, I’ve been remembering more and more lately.  At the time my mother was faced with many decisions as her life was on an ever ending cycle of change.  She was recently separated from my father, a mother of three children and jobless.  All she was skilled at was providing a loving home for her children and husband.  She made the pain staking decision to learn a trade in order to get a job to provide for her family.  This meant she had to find a place or someone to care for her three children.   

She began her search and found a daycare center, not too far from our home by the name of King’s Daycare and to her relief it was a Christian daycare.  She spoke with the director about getting all three of us enrolled.  For a moment the director hesitated, and then she asked my mother a question, ‘Why do you want them enrolled here?’  My mother responded because you’re a Christian and so is your daycare.  After hearing my mother’s response, the director replied, ‘Then bring them’.  We were enrolled and attended for years, growing to love the director and her staff as family.  

I wonder if my mother knew her faith walk almost twenty years ago would benefit her youngest grandchild now.  My sister is in the midst of preparing to return to work and has been faced with almost the same dilemma of needing someone to keep her infant daughter as she does so.  She called the same day care we all attended years ago, early last week to see if there were any openings for her daughter. My sister and mother met with the director a couple days later, she told them when she heard the name of my niece she was enrolling her, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it; because we were family.  My niece was scheduled to begin on Monday, which is today.  As she begins her own walk, I believe she’s fulfilling his plan that he set in motion long before she was born and in his time all will be revealed…

Sincerely, 
DWIC2S

Memories

'Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.'  Proverbs 22:6
 
My mother made sure she and her children were at church as often as possible.  I remember when she made the decision to visit a church, her coworker at the time, invited us to.  At the time, I had no idea the impact that visit would make on my life.  For this church became the church I grew up in and has become my home church, which I return to quite often.   

The elders I met along the way helped mold me to be the person I am today.   Some probably didn’t know I would still be thinking of them as I mature in my walk with the Lord.  As, I’ve returned to my home church a couple times in the past month, I’ve realized how much I miss those that are no longer here.  I’m reminded of the motorcycle diva, along with her motorcycle gang ministering to the lost.  The beautiful lady who ministered at local hospitals by dressing as a clown, delivering cheer to the sick and every time I saw her she would hug me tightly.  The one my family, affectionately nicknamed ‘Purple’, because he was a recipient of a Purple Heart.  The gentle giant who played the guitar every Sunday during morning worship service and for a while led children’s church service with his wife.  I’m blessed to have these memories, and the ones I’m going to display, hold are very special to me …

When I was a young teen it seemed weddings were happening at my church like running water.  It was at one of these weddings, when one of the deacons told me I would be next.  Not only did he tell me I was next in line to be married, he would be the one to walk me down the aisle to my groom.  Needless, to say I was terrified; I was too young to get married.  Imagine my delight when the next wedding came and I wasn’t the bride.  The weddings continued to happen from time to time and even though I wasn’t the bride he would remind me when my time came, he’ll be right there to walk me down the aisle.  Even when my mother wedded five years ago, he told me to hurry up, so he can walk me down the aisle.  To this day, when I see him or get an update about him, the message is still the same…he’ll be walking me down the aisle.  

This memory is about someone, whom was called to glory years ago.  He had a gentle spirit and loved the Lord, even when faced with death.  What I remember most was his love of music and how he loved to hear my mother sing.  He and my mother sang this song over and over again.  When they sang, it was like a lullaby to my ears.  In the past few weeks, I thought about this song repeatedly and I couldn’t seem to remember the words.  I asked my mother and she found it online for me.  A week later, I awoke with this song on my mind and in my heart.  To my elated surprise, I remembered the words.  I don’t intend to forget them nor my memories any time soon...

Sincerely,  
DWIC2S