Tattered Faith

One of the things I enjoy in my relationship with the Lord is His communication with me in everyday life. It doesn't matter where I am. I could be driving, grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, or reading my Bible. He is there also, and sometimes He lets me know it in a tangible way.

Last year I was preparing for a retreat on Walking by Faith. I was laboring over the direction of my talk. " What do you want me to say Lord?" I inquired as I sat with pen in hand. When I am working on a message, I often multitask with other mindless chores to take a break from 'seeking and thinking', especially if I feel stuck. Laundry was the job of choice.

My favorite dish towel was in the laundry that day. It has my blog header verse on it. Heb. 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This 'faith towel' had been 'gently used' a lot. During a break, I opened the dryer and my faith verse applique fell to the floor.



I piled the clean clothes on the dryer and reached for the tattered cloth . My 'faith' looked like it had been through the ringer! I deposited the 'remnant of faith' in the trash and moved on. Break was over. Once again, I sat in my comfy chair with my Bible, paper, and pen ready to be inspired. Then my tattered faith hit me like a ton of bricks. DUH BARBARA! Did you SEE what just happened? I knew in that moment what God was saying to me. He wasn't taking a break like me. The Lord was speaking over my pile of laundry.

Sometimes things don't go like we expected or hoped. All of us could write a list.

We didn't get the job, win the prize, or find the check in the mail.

The doctor's report did not confirm the instant miracle we prayed for.

Our children are making choices not consistent with what they have been taught.

The answer was no.

The Lord's 'call' on our life isn't quite matching the layout we expected.

Coming face to face with moments like these challenge us. How we react has everything to do with our trust in God. Some of us might stop walking by faith when our expectations aren't met. Just give up. Others, like me, tend to pout. (In a very grown up way, of course) Needless to say, we are not walking with 'Onward Christian Soldiers' playing on our ipod. Since we cannot see or understand what God is doing, it is easy to become discouraged and lose heart. In times like this, we tend to lower our shield of faith and sometimes even 'trash' it. Our walk can quickly change to curbside parking.

God told me to pick my tattered faith out of the trash that day. I cleaned off the garbage that wanted to claim it. My faith and probably yours has been through the ringer before. God is teaching me what it REALLY means to have my expectations in Him and Him alone. If I can hang on to my tattered faith, no matter what it looks like, God will use it. Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Examine YOUR expectations today. Great Expectations in Him Alone will not fail you!

B His Girl