Faith
Console thyself, thou wouldst not seek Me, if thou hadst not found Me. ~Blaise Pascal
Faith, I would say, has been one of my constant guides. I marvel at its expressions and its movements. It is so subjective and so personal. Saint Augustine once said, “Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” One can have an inward vision and yet not be able to verbalize it. One may think they have gone mad, yet that vision, that desire, will only grow stronger. Faith is acting on one’s deepest beliefs, one’s deepest convictions, often only expressed in prayer to God - until the time is ripe. Faith that is kept alive in us, grows stronger the more it is practiced. Eventually that faith will be manifested and one will marvel at God’s wisdom and grace.
I think we all live by faith or we simply do not live at all. Everything we do in life is a leap of faith on some level. When we start a business, it is a leap of faith since we do not know if it will succeed or fail. When we choose married life, we risk marriage or else we stay single. When we dare tell someone, “I love you,” we risk rejection. When we face mountains of opposition, we seek clarity and answers. When we are faced with personal pain and personal crisis in our lives and have no one to turn to, we turn to God for help.
I came across what Harry Emerson Fosdick said and I could not agree more: “I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.” Life brings unending possibilities of growth and insight if we simply recognize those moments. Let us embrace faith to understand our mysteries!
The famous actress and authoress, Helen Hayes says this: “Yes, I have doubted. I have wandered off the path. I have been lost. But I always returned. It is beyond the logic I seek. It is intuitive - a intrinsic, built-in sense of direction. I seem to find my way home. My faith has wavered but has saved me.”
Because I have grown up without parents in my life and had to find my own way much of the time, Helen Hayes’ expressions are words that I trumpet as well. It is beyond explaining. I can not. I only stand in awe at God’s grace and with faith in my heart, I bow in adoration to Him.
Thanks Viola! I really enjoy reading these each day! Stephanie
Comment by Stephanie — February 9, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Thank you Stephanie for your kind words. I am so happy to have visitors come by!
Feel free to share any of your thoughts if you like.
Comment by Viola — February 9, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Hi Viola,
Thanks for checking my site and giving positive comments. I find your sight very enlightening and touching my heart.I will check it regularly.
Regds
esfj
Comment by ESFJperson — February 9, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Sorry for the spelling mistake.I meant site not sight..
esfj
Comment by ESFJperson — February 9, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
esfjperson,
thank you so much for coming to check me out. It’s nice to have visitors.
Comment by Viola — February 9, 2007 @ 6:07 pm