Faith's Heart

Relationship

Solomon understood the power of a relationship with God because of his father, David. He affirmed his belief in this dedication prayer for the temple.

David’s legacy lived on through his son Solomon, because David lived his life dedicated to God. Does that mean David was a perfect angel? Not by any means!! David had MANY flaws and made so many mistakes.

Why, then, is David called a man after God’s own heart?

Maybe because no matter how many times David fell, no matter how many times he royally screwed up, no matter how many incredibly stupid mistakes he made….David turned his heart continually back to his Maker.

Because of this devotion, David’s son understood the power of a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

And so did Faith. No matter how much torment came towards her, no matter how much insane filth was spewed at her, no matter how many times she might have fallen or failed….she kept her heart continually on her Maker.

There truly is no God like our God. He will keep you in perfect peace, despite the winds of adversity that may blow in your life. He will guide you when you can’t see through thick fog of worry and stress. His mercy will keep you when you walk before Him with all your heart. Just turn to Him.

… But Live.

” I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Ps 118:17

Nothing about Aunt Faith’s death has been comforting, or comfortable. The only comfort we can cling to is the fact that she is with Jesus, at peace, and no longer struggling with the unfairness present in this life. 

But in the face of that small comfort, the ones who are left behind are left to deal with loss, trauma, and grief. Sometimes it’s all we can do to simply get out of bed in the morning. 

It’s the simple reminders given to us in the word that gives us enough fuel to get through the day. “I will live and not die and declare the works of the Lord.” 

On another note, I have heard it said more recently, that you are remembered more for your exit out of this world than your entry. Even after Aunt Faith’s death, her legacy is living on and declaring His works, despite death. It has been an encouraging experience to witness the ripple effect her death has had because of the life she lived.

Those of us left behind have to continue to work through our grief and take a few questions into consideration. What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Who and what will you honor in this life that will echo in your legacy after death.

It’s hard right now. In some moments it’s impossible. But, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord”.

It Is Well With Her Soul

Nights are sometimes long. Especially when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one.

The tears are mostly selfish ones, though.

I weep because I’m angry at how Faith was taken from us.

I weep because her babies don’t have their sweet momma anymore.

I weep because I’ll never get a phone call from her again.

I weep because she won’t be sharing recipes with me anymore, and she won’t be texting me funny memes that only I would get.

I weep because her presence is so deeply missed.

But I know that when her heavenly pay day arrived, there was no more weeping for her. No more fear. No more sadness.

Only joy. Sweet peace and joy.

So I have to wipe away my tears. I have to smile despite it all. Because I know that while I may cry some selfish tears because I miss her here on earth, Faith Lin is rejoicing with the angels. She’d tell me there’s no need to cry, because all is well with her soul.

Love One Another

I almost have no words this morning. I just keep reading this scripture over and over and smiling.

Because I can see and hear Faith telling us this very thing.

Faith was such a loving person. She loved everyone. I truly do not think I ever heard her speak bad against anyone.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not idolizing Faith. What I am saying is that she loved and she loved with her whole heart.

As I walk through this season of immense grief, I am reminded on a daily basis of how important it is for us to love on each other.

Love comes from God.

When we love on each other, we are, in effect, allowing God to love on us. What better way can we show our love for Him, than to show love towards one another?

I challenge myself and you today. Find somebody to love on. Let them know you’re thinking of them. Tell them you care.

Let’s love one another. Because Faith sure did.

We Have Hope

Yesterday was not a good day for me. Grief doesn’t care whether you’re wanting to have a good day or not. It comes at will.

Last night it all came rushing over me. All the what if’s. All the might have beens. All the coulda shoulda woulda thoughts.

They all came crashing down on top of me.

And you know what? That’s okay. Because that’s what grief does.

What would not be okay is for me to stay stuck in those unproductive thoughts. Doing so would not change anything that has happened.

Most of all, doing this would not respect the woman of faith that Faith Lin was while she was on this earth.

Yes, what happened to Faith was tragic and untimely and not what any of us wanted for her. But that does not change who God is.

Faith knew who she was in God. And on that fateful night, despite all our sorrow and grief, He called her by name, because she was His, and said it’s time to come home.

I’m so thankful for the promise and hope we have…that one day, if we are faithful to Him just as Faith was, we too, will hear Him call our name.

His House

This morning I am thinking about how much Faith loved church. Church was her place of solace. It was her resting place, a place where fear could not reside and worries melted away, if only for a few moments.

But this verse isn’t only about the literal, physical house of God that we often call our church.

God has given us a house on this earth called a body. In this house, God’s glory dwells, too…when we allow it.

This was another of Faith’s attributes. She protected her physical body and was very aware that it was the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Many times, Faith told me when she felt she needed more of God’s protection, she’d wear her hair down. She understood the power she held with her Father because of her obedience to His word.

There have been so many times when I have failed to keep reverence to this earthly body. I have failed. Haven’t we all? But I can hear Faith’s voice, just as sure as I’m sipping my coffee this morning and pondering this Word.

Faith would likely say, “Don’t focus on your failures. Now that you know better, do different.”

So this is my mission to myself and to you. Today, let’s live mindfully that our earthly bodies are His house. We are a temple of the Holy Ghost. Let’s invite in only that which is pleasing and acceptable to Him.

Not Alone

Life can be cruel. One minute you’re on the mountaintop and the next you’re in a tailspin.

The only thing that is sure is everything changes.

not alone

This season I’m in feels like a drought. I feel empty. Alone. Confused. Angry. Disappointed. Hurt.

But when I turn to the Word, I am reminded once again of this promise that I am not alone.

The Lord is guiding me, despite me feeling alone. He is watering my soul in this dry season. Even in my weakness, He is giving me the strength to push through each moment. The fountain of Life continues to spring forth and sustains me in the middle of all life’s chaos.

Fix Your Eyes

Look straight ahead

Even though some of us knew Faith was going through an emotionally-taxing situation, no one had a clue just how difficult it really was for her. Faith was never one to share too much personal information. She prayed and leaned on God for support and help.

This was her example to all of us. She fixed her eyes directly on God. She did not sway or turn one way or the other. She was steady and sure in her relationship with God.

When the storms of life knock you around…

When the winds of adversity whip at your core…

When the adversary whispers fear into your mind…

Keep your eyes straight ahead. Fix your eyes directly ahead. Be like Faith, unwavering, even to the very end.

The Choice

Joshua sent spies to check out the land of Jericho. While the two men were there, they came to the house of a harlot, Rahab, for lodging. Then the king found out that there were two Israelite men in the country. Rahab hid them, and told the king’s men a fabricated story about how the men had been there, but they’d left out and she had no idea where they were. Isn’t it interesting how God uses the lowest of the low–a whore–for a plot twist?!

Rahab, despite her background, had heard and knew that the two Israelite men were covered by God’s protection. She and all the people had heard the stories of how God had turned the sea to dry land for the Israelites to cross over to the promised land.

In this verse, Rahab acknowledges the wonder of the Israelites’ God. She knew the power and authority that came with these two men. And most of all, she believed that the Lord God is God above all.

Because of Rahab’s belief, she and her house were spared later when the land was overtaken and the Lord delivered the land unto Joshua.

No matter who you are, where you come from, or what your past holds, one choice is all it takes to forever change your life.

Rahab could have chosen to turn Joshua’s two spies over to the king’s men. But she didn’t. She chose to follow her heart and lean into what she knew from the stories that had been told–that God is God. And because of this single choice, it didn’t matter that she was a prostitute. It didn’t matter how many other poor choices she had made earlier in her life. It didn’t matter how many other bad things she may have done.

She made the choice to believe.

You have the same gift today, too. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It’s doesn’t matter where you’ve been. It doesn’t matter how low you might think your life is right now.

You have the choice to believe.

Walking Through Death

As I read this familiar passage this morning, so many thoughts come to mind.

Death surrounds us daily. Some days we may not even recognize it, but death is present.

Plants wither. Animals perish. People die.

This is a reality of life. Bad things happen.

Even to good people.

Taking David’s lead from the 23rd Psalms, we know that even though death touches us in this life, when we walk through that valley of the shadow of death, there is a Higher Power in us that guides us through those dark times.

I will fear no evil.

I can’t help but refer back to Faith here. She truly lived in fear and went through so many dark times, but she did not fear the evil that surrounded her.

She was wrapped in the loving arms of Jesus, the One in whom she trusted. And God was with her, and He comforted her through all of those days.

Even when bad things happen all around us, even when the darkest of nights seem to swallow us whole, even when it feels as though every evil thing is targeting us with every weapon of destruction…

Even then.

God is in control.

If you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death (or any other hard thing, for that matter), you don’t have to fear evil. God is with you. He will guide you and lead you through that dark valley. He will bring comfort and peace to you like nothing else can. Lean on Him.