Oct. 1, 2013

Hebrews 11:1

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

Tuesday mornings are busy. I go to Rick’s son’s house by 6:45 and stay with the younger two kids. After breakfast, we go back to my in-laws where I help my mother-in-law with her morning routine. As I get lunch started, the kids play, trying to keep the roar low enough so Grandpa Rick can sleep.

Today, then we went to Aunt Judy’s. Nephew Andy was just leaving with the combine, so we watched him wheel out with his huge John Deere. We picked grapes and pears. Ellie and Dylan both helped put pears in a bag. As I picked grapes, Ellie helped put them in the five-gallon bucket, often tasting them. When we were done with the pears and grapes, Aunt Judy gave us a ride in the Kubota to the apple orchard where we picked a few apples. Then, it was time to go back to Grandma-Greats for lunch.

On the way, we listened to “clapping music,” i.e. – VBS music. After listening to a jazzy rendition of “This Little Light of Mine,” a quieter song came on. It’s called “Faith” and based on Hebrew 11:1. It is one of my favorite songs. As I listened, I contemplated the words:

It seems like there’s so much to hope for, so many dreams that I wish they all could come true. And when I think about your ways Lord, it gives me so much faith in all that you do. Faith to see beyond what I can see. Faith to know that you will do great things. Oh, I will trust you Lord, I’ll always believe. As I hang on my faith, Jesus, you are holding on to me.

Constant faith is hard. There are times when faith seems easier and makes more sense. I have faith; but sometimes I wonder how I am to live my faith these days. It’s not as bold and strong as it once was and in that, there is some disappointment.

As these words hung in my mind, I heard from the back seat, “Dianne.” I said, “Yes, Ellie.” She replied, “Dianne, you know, I trust in God.”

Ellie is three. Some may say she doesn’t know what she is talking about. But she knows who God is. She talks about VBS often and wants to go back. She knows what trust is. In her little mind, she can trust God for the moment.

When I started a year of family leave, I wanted to look at the whole of myself and see how I might become more the person God desires for me to be. The challenge is that days, weeks and months get quickly filled. When are we to have time to fully discern, contemplate and examine this? I decided that during October, I am going to be more intentional about this. Daily, I want to explore my spiritual wholeness.

I feel a person of God must examine all areas of their life. While I can’t do a complete overhaul in a month, I want to explore four areas: my spiritual life, my emotional well-being, my mental capacity and my physical body. Each week, I will focus on one area. Tomorrow, I’ll begin with the spiritual life.

I invite you to join this journey. Will our lives be much different on Nov. 1^st? I do not know. But let’s be intentional about our faith, our wholeness before God and if and how we trust God. Like Ellie, can we say, “You know, I trust God?” 

Dear God: It seems like there’s so much to hope for, so many dreams that I wish they all could come true. And when I think about your ways Lord, it gives me so much faith in all that you do. Faith to see beyond what I can see. Faith to know that you will do great things. Oh, I will trust you Lord, I’ll always believe. As I hang on my faith, Jesus, you are holding on to me. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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