Monday of Week One
The Strength of Faith
“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands
from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” —1 Peter 3:15
Like many people, I grew up in church. I grew up with potluck lunches, going with my parents to choir practice on Wednesday nights, UMYF on Sunday evenings, Lakeview every summer, and a congregation full of “family.” Going to church, having faith in God, praying before meals and bedtime, and hearing my Daddy wake me up every Sunday morning singing, “Oh Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of glory land,” were just a part of me and something I did not necessarily think about. I never considered how truly important that faith was to me—all those things were just part of my life.
When I went off to college, not much changed. I still went to church most Sundays and definitely every weekend that I was home with my parents. I always prayed. I took for granted the strong faith that had been instilled in me since birth.
Right after college, my grandfather passed away. While I was understandably sad, it was my grandmother, his wife of 60 years, who was devastated. This was my first true opportunity to see how faith carries us. Never once did she ask God, “Why?” She just prayed, took solace from our family and church “family,” and understood the peace of God in grieving and the hope of being reunited with her husband. She was able to join him in heaven 9 months later.
I got married, and two and half years later got divorced. Like my Maw Maw, I did not ask God, “Why?” However, I remember crying in church Sunday after Sunday asking God to keep holding me and getting me where he wanted me to be. I knew a place of sadness was not my final destination and felt great comfort in crying on God’s shoulder. When my father passed away of brain cancer at 60 years old, I was angry. But I did not ask God, “Why?” I prayed for God to give my mom strength to go on, guidance for my brother, and healing for me. And when I lost my mom five years ago, I found that I could not be angry at God even though I missed her terribly and still do. I just had a sense of peace. I knew without a doubt that she no longer struggled with numerous health issues and that she was overjoyed to be in heaven with God, and with my Daddy.
When I have to deal with tough situations, the main idea I remind myself to think about is, “I wonder how people do this without faith.” I cannot imagine my life without faith, without being carried through grief and loss without the peace of God and without a church that supports me during both good and bad times. I know that
not everyone is fortunate enough to have the same upbringing that I did. However, what I can do, what I try to do, is show others how faith supports and carries me. I can try to be a witness, to show unshakable faith and belief in God, and to share how the hard times are not nearly as hard when there is a greater power than us helping carry our burdens. When people ask you how you do it, how you are sustained during challenges, remember to revere Christ as Lord and the hope and faith in Christ Jesus will pour peace upon you.
Author: Charity Eames
Personal Reflection:
Was there a time when you took for granted your faith in God, but God showed up anyways? When was a time when God stopped you in your tracks and showed you His presence?
Daily Action:
Commit to a bible reading plan, or sign up for a class at your church, or a new ministry opportunity.
