Thursday, April 9, 2009

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


11 comments:

  1. Wow B, I just loved today's post. Haven't all us had a faith put through the ringer at some time...sometimes we even thing we should "throw in the towel!" But God is a God who listens and answers. Amen. Just loved this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post today B. I know my faith gets a little thin from time to time and I have felt like throwing in the towel. That's just what the devil wants us to do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I too, love how God speaks to us with whatever He puts in front of us at the moment [if we are paying attention].

    I have to say that I will be pondering this profound post all day - especially on THIS day! I need wisdom and understanding in all of it.

    Hebrews 11:1 is a memory verse that I have held onto for the last 3 years and will not let it go - no matter how tattered, torn or worn out my faith is.

    Thanks for sharing this important truth.

    Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
    Stephanie
    [In Flight]

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the fact that God is not hindered in His creative ability to speak.
    "Tattered Faith" ~ so good!
    Melanie@Bella~Mella

    ReplyDelete
  5. When our faith looks like your towel--that is when it is real faith. We have been through the ringer of life--and yet we still proclaim Jesus!

    Have an awesome Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey I have a couple laundry stories with God too. Hmm, this is beginning to scare me. LOL

    I love this. And I don't know what to say. This is too good for my words. Just know God touched my heart through your blog today.

    Love you,

    Tiffany

    ReplyDelete
  7. B, you are so precious. Thank you for sharing this. I was uplifted. I pray an awesome time in the LORD for you this weekend.

    I love you and am so honored that the Lord uses you to touch my life in your sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I sit here with a great big *grin* on my face, partially because I loved the "whine (like a grown-up part:)" This is a great reminder that even though our faith may seem moved at times, God is faithful and HE DOES NOT!

    Upgrade means mountains!!! to me. Thank you for being obedient to what God was telling you. That is the other part that made me smile. From the moment I read your comment, I've had a silly grin on my face. God is soooo cool. Maybe sometime soon I will share more, but for now, I praise God for you and for the words of knowledge He spoke through you!

    Love and big hugs! Heaven

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I have missed visiting you so much!

    "The Lord's 'call' on our life isn't quite matching the layout we expected." I was just doing a study that made me stop and bring these thoughts (and my question marks) to Him. He always uses you to speak to me.

    Have an abundantly blessed celebration of the Risen Lord!

    Much love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Barbara,

    I love when God uses our everyday lives to speak to us. What a perfect, practical example of our faith being tattered. You THOUGHT you were taking a break! LOL

    I'll bet your teaching was wonderful, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just love this post, B. It really spoke to me. I think our tattered faith is definitely worth saving. And, I'm praying God speaks to me over my "pile of laundry"

    ReplyDelete