I never thought my Faith was that strong or could be an example for others until I met a woman who had no faith. She didn't claim to be an atheist, it was just that she wasn't raised in the Lords ways. For generations all of her family had been cremated and was placed in a family urn that was displayed on the fireplace. She said she had just thought nothing of it, that when it was over, death came and it was simply the end. She knew that some day she would also be in that urn.
A week before Christmas her 42 year old son, her only child, died unexpectedly of a heart attack. She was devastated. Here she was 68 years old with no faith in the Lord or strength from the him to draw upon. She found herself wondering what was the point of life. And she wanted to believe that her son was being lovingly cradled in the Lords arms. But how after all these years could she find out. She told me I was so lucky to have my faith. She said she wished she could be like me.
She asked me how could I have faith in the Lord in something I could not see?
She got me thinking about my faith, and how my faith is who I am, a part of me that I never questioned. When I look back I realized my Faith in the Lord and his ways was passed down to me from my wonderful Mother.

So I started to tell her one of the stories of what gave me such strong faith in the Lord.
My Mother always made sure we went to church on Sundays but my Father never went he wasn't raised with any faith either. So Mom really had a big job showing the whole family how God's love was always present in our life. At times, my Father would hang his head looking defeated because we had bills to pay and no money. My father worked in construction and was a backhoe operator so, in the summers we had plenty of money, but during the winter we could barely get by. I can hear my mother saying, "now Gerald you have to have faith, the Lord will provide and take care of us. I have already prayed and everything will be just fine." He would smart off, "sure Nancy the Lord is going to send us this money to keep the gas on." Momma would say, "Honey don't talk like that. The Lord will provide." Dad would reply, "ok, I hope you're right." I remember it wasn't even 24 hours later and there was a knock at the door. Old Lyle who we hadn't seen in five years was standing there and Dad invited him in. He began to tell about how he had hit rock bottom because of alcohol and that he had just found Jesus and wanted to get his life right. He had a few debts to repay and he wanted to repay Dad the 500 dollars he owed him. He even thanked him for inviting him in his home and still being his friend. After he left my Dad turned to my Mom, and just looked at her, I thought he was going to cry, and said "You were right. Thank you God!" That night we had steaks for dinner and our gas stayed on. Dad and the whole family's faith in the Lord was strengthened. My friend just smiled.

I said, "that's not all, anytime we needed clothes or food it worked the same way." I remember when we had outgrown our clothes and shoes and Dad would worry again. I can understand how he felt now that I have my own children. The pressure he was under not having the money when it was needed for his family. You know he felt sick. Momma never faltered in telling him "not to worry the Good Lord will provide," and sure enough that night we had a knock at the door. My Uncle Sam was standing there with two bags. He had been at a friends house and they had just done some cleaning and asked him if he knew anyone with boys and girls who might need them. And of course he said yes. And the bags had shoes and clothes something for all four of us kids. And once again we were taken care of by the Lords Goodwill.
I told her this is why I always have faith in the Lord. He does answer your prayers.

She said, "I wish I could believe it, but you were raised that way." I replied, "how can you not see his grace in everything. The sun rises and sets, the birds sing, the trees, the flowers, these are all Gods gifts to you." "The years you had your son was God's gift to you." "He has touched you in ways you don't even understand." "Do you think our friendship wasn't his way of looking out for you?" She perked up. She said, "I have never felt comfortable enough around anyone to even ask about the Lord." "See what I mean, the Good Lord knew that you needed me all along and sent me to live here next to you." Her mouth fell open and she said, "I never thought of it that way, but you know, you are right. But I don't know how to pray."
"Oh that's easy. You just go home and go to your room, or somewhere you can be alone, and kneel down and just pray, Dear God I need you. I accept your son Jesus Christ as my savior, please come into my heart. Amen."
"Don't worry once you start you will know what to say. He really will answer! You really will feel his love."

The next day she told me "Thanks," and that she had been afraid to pray, but once she started it just all pored out, the pain, the loss, and he took it away. A peacefulness had come into her heart. Things would be ok.

After that, from that day on she would look at me with that look of peace.
And I knew she had found her faith, she had found her faith in God.

And the Good Lord had once again answered my prayers.

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