By Faith, Take the Next Step

My tears rolled upon her frail body. God could do it. No question. He could heal her. If He chose it, she would walk. She would run.

Sadly, sight spoke the opposite story. Sight whispered to me that she would never, never, never. Doctors stated that she would never…

But what about faith? I exercised the faith He so freely granted. God increased it more. In my mother’s heart cries to Him, I thanked Him for the present and thanked Him for all that lay ahead. I believed by faith in the impossible. I believed by faith in the Sovereign control of the Almighty. I believed He would heal.

Petitioning Him with others, so many others, we persisted with fervency for Avery’s well-being. I could not imagine or embrace the future. Every “today” granted enough of its own trials.

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.” __Joni Erickson Tada

Our prayers also stated, nevertheless, Lord, not my will, but yours. With our daughter’s life in such struggle, we faced a desire to only beg Him to allow more time, more days, a full healing. He supplied for us to commit all into His hands and trust that no matter what He chose, He would carry us through it. And thus, we added…with acceptance of His perfect plan…”Here is our desire, but we trust You with the outcome.”

At times, we cannot find the words to say these types of prayers. That is when we cry out in honesty, “I do not have faith. Please give me the faith to trust you, Lord.” He answers these pleas. Faith is a portion of the fruit of the Spirit. It is a gift from Him. Ask for it.

“Things” are big. Let go of the control and receive from Him.

“Live for today, but hold your hands open to tomorrow. Anticipate the future and its changes with joy. There is a seed of God’s love in every event, every unpleasant situation in which you may find yourself.” __Barbara Johnson

And we learned slowly, over time, to leave it all with Him, to live for today. We enjoyed the special times we refer to as the God moments. We took time to smell the roses. And when He called her to His heavenly home, no regrets surfaced. Take baby steps with Jesus. The turtle really can win the race!

So many say, that if you believe, you will receive. Is it that you receive that thing you desire? The healing of our daughter? Sometimes, it is that very thing. But sometimes, you receive the thing you hoped for the least. And faith is exercised at that moment. Shall we believe in His sovereignty or believe a lie about the character of a perfectly loving Father?

Faith is taking His hand and letting Him lead. It is a walk, a stroll with Jesus, not a race to a desired outcome. It is a deep trust that He always knows best. It is a confidence that at the time most needed, He will give the grace to endure with perseverance and grant victory during that trial.

Might our great God bless you with faith in your trial today. And may you seek Him for who He is and rest in His care-taking. He loves you.