“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.”
― Paulo Coelho, Brida,
Do you wonder about faith and question what it is? What exactly is faith? The immediate definition which comes to mind is, “Faith is evidence of things not seen.”
Faith intertwines with my belief in God, a higher power, the universe, etc. Faith is the inner-knowing no matter what everything will be okay. I will be okay. Life will be good to me in the grand scheme of things even when at times it feels like it is unfair and cruel. Life, overall, is still worth living and being here. Faith teaches me to hold on.
When I think of faith and what I know about it, I always remember what I learned from Mom and Dad. I am grateful for their example and wisdom.
I’ve always admired their faith and conviction everything is happening as it should. Mom and Dad lived their lives by their faith. Do I term it a blind acceptance? Or do I call it what it is, a true certainty of how they navigated life and how it worked for over 80 years for both of them.
Faith was the rock and foundation my parents never waivered from. Do I think it came easy for them? No, it didn’t come easy but it was a constant presence in the midst of loss, sadness, turmoil, death, birth, life. Faith never dies or ends.
However, life and circumstances can sometimes cause us to lose our way and question, toss aside, give up on and shake us and our faith to its very core.
During these moments we need faith the most. Faith has a way of helping us hold on even when we think we’re done and have lost faith completely.
What I continue to learn about faith is during the most difficult times faith holds on and will bring to me the circumstance, person, smile, hug, warm embrace, place, song, laughter and love just when I need it. Faith never gives up and in its own subtle way will show me, ever so slowly, to love myself again and embrace forgiveness.
When questions like “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, “Why does someone die tragically?”, “Why does someone get sick and have to suffer needlessly?”, “Why do some people get the good breaks and others struggle no matter what they do?”, or we just ask, “Why me?”
When these questions come up, maybe, just maybe, all we are called to do is to have faith. Maybe all that needs to happen is to look around our lives and see the faith screaming, “I’m right here” and “I will never let you down.” Sometimes, all we are asked to consider is a small shift in perspective. To see our lives as they are right now and accept all is well.
The next time everything seems difficult, jumbled, and less than you think it should be, I hope you will see faith standing by your side, waiting for you to take its hand and walk with you so you are never alone.
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