I wasn't quite sure which direction I wanted this post to take. When I first read "Bringing Faith to Life" as the first topic in the Build 'Em Up link-up with Erin, Jennifer, and Courtney, my mind was blank.
Does this mean bringing faith to life for myself? My children and family? People in my community? Is the post asking me how I do this? Or why I do this?
In light of the last two weeks in which our new son was born with some difficulties leaving him in the NICU for a few days, I find myself with one word on my mind concerning this topic: Challenged.
When friends and family learned about our "Deputy's" health problems, they immediately went into action with prayer. People contacted churches for daily Masses to be dedicated to his healing; a friend offered up her daily struggles with her own children (houseful of lice at that!) for our intentions; Rosaries were prayed on our behalf; encouraging and prayerful songs were posted on facebook to comfort us. These offerings are all on top of simple, but powerful, prayers offered up by so many.
Looking back, I see the power of so many prayer warriors coming together, and I see that it's through my friends and family that I've been blessed. Through these people, my faith is brought to life. I understand that faith is about my relationship with God, and I also believe God placed people in my life to guide me in that relationship.
Because I've been so blessed, I feel challenged to be a light that brings faith to life in the lives of my friends and family. I want to be the rock that they can stand upon to see a brighter day when life is dark. I want to be a wall to lean upon, to hold them up, when they don't have faith to stand alone.
I want my children to know how powerful our asking for God's help can be. I want to pass along what God's placed in my life: the trust that God will carry us through despite whatever hardships life throws our way.
I often struggle with how to do this. Can a two-year-old understand God? How do I convey this great concept of Creator and the Love that comes with Him?
I watched Mass (yesterday actually) since we missed on Sunday, and the priest gave me an answer in saying that when others see us, may they see Jesus Christ. That's my prayer as we venture into this next chapter as a family of four. I want each and every day to bring my own faith to life by showing it. May those closest to me see through my actions and words not only my own love, but the love of God, and may their faith grow through our interactions.
8 comments:
this is awesome. i think the answer is yes and yes and yes. it's all of it. your precious son will learn faith by watching you discover new things just like you beautifully captured. telling him that exact story. how you SAW and FELT faith in action and then so wisely turning it to how you can do that for others. you got it. they soak up what they see. so proud of you. loved this! i believe at 2, they can take bite-size chunks in the form of "god made me" and "he wants to be your friend" and pointing out creation on walks and praying over dinner. just little practices and tiny truths appropriate to their age.
That is so great that you have such a great church family to help you when your family is in need. We've been trying to go as much as possible with our 2 little ones, and as it is hard to keep them both quiet and not disturb others it is amazing what Nolan picks up from church. We really want him to grow up in church and have good values, and it starts with us being a good example.
Oh Jenn. I think this is it exactly. All of it. You are bringing faith to life by the way you teach your boys and the way you lean on your friends and the way you pray for them and the way that they pray for you. It's IN you and it's just second nature. Wyatt is watching you and learning just by your example. You are showing him "Jesus" every single day with your words and actions. And just the simplest little ways of telling him what that means will be imprinted on his little heart. Love you and your sweet family!
You brought faith to life right here, on this screen. I struggle with these same things, I don't know how B understands it, but I know she does. She asks to pray for people when they are sick or read the Bible at night, she sees what we put out. It drives me to be a better follower of Christ which makes me a better mother. I love this post so much, thank you for sharing.
You brought faith to life right here, on this screen. I struggle with these same things, I don't know how B understands it, but I know she does. She asks to pray for people when they are sick or read the Bible at night, she sees what we put out. It drives me to be a better follower of Christ which makes me a better mother. I love this post so much, thank you for sharing.
I've been there - had a baby in the NICU and people praying for us! It changed my perspective on God and life completely.
Thank you for sharing!!!
this was an excellent post, Jenn, as you are so right!
I really need to get my little guy in church more. It is never too soon to start!
I think you hit your own special gift...what you are aiming for, you are already doing, for your friends and for your family. You are most definitely a light to me, and I know your family experiences that as well and they are certainly learning from that.
Watching my own kids, I see how much they really do get. They trust in God, and they love him. And that's what I want for him.
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