I knew that I didn't want to knock on people's doors or stop them on the street to proclaim that I had faith. That to me is the kind of sharing that seems more directed at convincing people that the way they believe is wrong than it has anything to do with the truth that sharing faith is powerful. No, that would not be my plan. But, what did I want to do? If I didn't want to impose, then I just had to wait for opportunities to say: "May angels watch over you." ; "God is with us." ; or 'I'll pray for you'. But even those statements, when not solicited, seemed pretentious and overbearing. That didn't seem to be right either. And so, I waited for inspiration.
Then it hit me. I wanted to be like my mom whose faith offers comfort to many. Each time our granddaughter, Emily, is hospitalized, daughter, Kristy, carefully packs the blanket my mom cro-knit for her shortly after she was born. That blanket has covered Emily during many challenges. "I know that grandma wove prayers into this blanket, Mom," Kristy said the first time she packed it for Emily. "I know she did too," I replied.
My mom prays nightly for me, my husband, our three kids, their spouses, our four wonderful granddaughters, as well as countless others. I know that I can call her at any time with a problem and that she will pray for me. She doesn't proclaim this on a billboard, write it on her wall, or even let others know. She just does it. She shares her faith by offerring prayers for others without any need for that to be acknowledged. So many have benefitted from the existence of my mom's faith. Now, that is powerful.
So, it's not what we say, write, or proclaim. It's just the living of our faith and the usage of our faith to help others that is powerful. It's the living of our lives in a positive manner that shares faith. It's the smiles we offer, the hugs we give, the tears we mutually share, and the prayers we silently offer. It's the respect we show even when we disagree.
And so, with that, I end my week a little more enlightened, knowing that it's the faith I hold that is the most powerful of all. My job, is to develop that faith to the best of my abilities.
May the world bless you in many ways. May your faith guide you and others as we all work toward peace.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, for faith, when shared, is powerful.
Linda
Next week's focus will be on the spiritual truth: To surrender our voice to another is to give away a piece of our soul. In contrast, to willingly help another is to imbue our soul with love. Join me as I strive to understand that truth to a greater degree.
May your week be filled with love.