Giving Thanks: Faith (Day #1)

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1

This has been my favorite scripture verse since I can remember. From my innocent childhood to fire-tested maturity, my faith has traveled the hills and valleys of life, and this verse has carried me through.

Today, I am thankful for my faith, for my belief in the one, true God. He has been my friend, my confidant, my leader, and the knot at the end of my rope. I am so thankful to have faith, not as a religion, but rather in relationship with my Creator.

I grew up in a Christian home. We attended church. I participated in youth activities, sang on worship teams, and worked in children’s church. But, those were just outward expressions of my faith.

It was as I got older, and faced new and sometimes difficult experiences that I realized my faith was not an action, but rather it was a covenant of the heart with my Lord and Savior.

When I was five, I gave my heart to the Lord. I believed with everything I was that God was ever-present. I prayed with a fire and the verve of innocence. I never doubted the scriptures, my teachers, or my parents about the realness of God.

When I was a teen, my faith guided me in my decision-making. I leaned on my faith to be my how-to manual. It protected my innocence, informed my choices, and sparked my personality. I announced my beliefs, opinions, and values based on scriptures and teachings without hesitation. I was proud of my faith.

When I became an adult, well, my faith experienced challenges. My faith became a quiet introspection. My faith humbled me in times of ego. It carried me when I couldn’t take the next steps. My faith embraced me even when I struggled with my choices, my desires and my friends or family. I pushed on my faith to see if there were boundaries or limits.

I believe in the one true God. I believe the Bible is the Word of God. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on a cross for my sins. I believe we were gifted with the Holy Spirit as our soul mate. I believe that we must accept Christ into our hearts and strive to live a life as Christ would through us. I have faith that He is coming back at a time of His choosing.

I am thankful that I was taught the love of Jesus, that I was allowed to determine where faith belonged in my life, and that I didn’t stray from my childhood belief that there is a God in heaven who loves me unconditionally. As my faith has grown, I have had questions and I have needed to delve into the Word of God to find my answers. But, at not time have I had to prove my faith to Him. He knew it all along. He has known my heart for Him since he created me.

And, for that, I am grateful.

Lambie Love,