Some versions of the Bible define this Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 as faithfulness. I love the word faith in the King James Version. I did not look to the dictionary for the definition of faith as I have with the other Fruit. I know there are many different meanings of the word 'faith' and I can't cover them all. The best definition I have ever read or heard, and the one I want to focus on comes, fittingly, from the Bible.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I memorized the "Faith Chapter" as a fifth-grader at at Christian school, and even then I was struck at the confidence of that verse. Faith is substance. Faith is evidence. Of what? Things hoped for and things not seen. It seemed like 'substance' and 'hope', 'evidence' and' things not seen' didn't belong in the same sentence together, but there it was. Hope and things not seen are intangible. Substance and evidence are irrefutable. The beautiful marriage of the two are a powerful mystery; the foundation of salvation. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Eph 2:5)
My blogs are about being real. Relating as a sinner saved by grace. Tripping along the twisting path of life and writing about the Lord as I go. I just can't wait to tell you about the substance and evidence that has touched my life! It seems impossible, but that's where faith comes in...
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26)
Since February, my posts have been a journey of physical setbacks and the comfort of the Lord through the Fruit of the Spirit. It's no secret, but I have been praying for a new theme for this blog, for sure. It's tiring to write about, and also to read, I would imagine. Through the ins and outs of the past few months, I have not been able to walk without a walker, and had an interesting hospital stay to boot. That's old news. The fruit of faith came at a point in my life when I needed to learn it the most. Still learning, by the way!
People prayed. I prayed in my solitude. When praying with my daughter at night, my petitions covered friends, family and special requests. She told me one night that it's OK to pray for myself (out of the mouths of babes!). Her addendum to my prayers were "Please help Mama get better". This past Saturday, she hugged my neck as we twirled around the kitchen to some Disney tune, looked me in the eye and said, "My old Mama is back!!" Here's how it happened...
There was no 'warning'. I got up Saturday morning, went into the bathroom and looked for my cane on the way out. Surprisingly, it was still next to my bed. I took a few steps, holding the walls and furniture, just in case. I was uncertain for a few hours and didn't fully trust my legs. Around noontime, I went for broke and strode across the floor as naturally as I had before. Amazing, powerful, an answer to prayer? Yes, but you have to understand, I began walking, running, dancing, as naturally as I had, not before the paralysis in February, but before September '09, when I began hitching along most of the time with a limp!
It is now Tuesday and I have had no more pain or paralysis other than my muscles complaining because I'm using them again. I have no explanation, but I believe - there is evidence - that God answered prayers of petition and faith. Substance and evidence. So many would try to dissect it. So many ask me what I think precipitated the change. I have been asked to explain it. I can say no more than this: One thing I know - I couldn't walk and now I can.
I am also asked whether I think this is a permanent change. I don't know, but I'm thankful for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and today. I'm not worried about tomorrow. There hasn't ever been a day in my life that I could predict ahead of time.
I am also thankful that the Lord saw fit to teach me love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness and goodness on the bad days. Another lesson? Pray for others when they ask, when they don't ask, when they are on your heart and when strangers pass by on the street. I'm a slow learner, but HE is faithful! Amen!
