Faith

Can't see it, that thing called faith, but you can sure hear it when it knocks at your door....

I was trying to make lunch for my two ravenous homeschooled kids, while talking on the phone (trying to talk low so one of my sons couldn't hear me) with my hubby.  It was a big blow-up the night before when both my oldest guys failed a hunting exam, money down the drain and ego's bust-ed, (as they would say).  They were ready to mash anyone who had anything to say about it, until Silas got hungry and he broke his no-supper and no-breakfast mad-fast.  So I was quietly conversing on the phone "that I think he's turned around, done his homework, eating...so far so good."   "Someone's at the door!" yelled Nate.  So I glance over to see, and said good bye and hung up the phone.

It's Simon (name change here for so many good reasons), lunch box in hand, waiting quietly for me to finish what I'm doing.  Lives in a boarding house across the alley from us and we've known him for about a year.  A dear Christian brother who battles with intense loneliness and depression.  When he's doing good, what a mountain of faith and scripture and insights...when he's down, its one of the hardest things to see.  I could see he was struggling, deep dark rings under his eyes, a shyness to speak but something urgent he needed to see me about.  Could we borrow the van for him to make a dr's appointment?  I shook my head, Steve has it, I'm so sorry!  He looked a little panicked but accepted that and said he'd call and cancel.  True to his nature, he looked at me and asked how I was doing...I told him it was a tough day, "why?" he asked.  I could see he was yearning to listen, be compassionate, those dark rings and heavy head couldn't take much more today, so I told him, "hey, you are having a tough day, I am having a tough day.  Let's have a tough day hug and pray to the Lord for grace." So we did, a hug, a desperate prayer for help and it knocked on the door, FAITH, and I heard it and recieved it and my friend did too, at least I hope he did.

We could not expect any favors, God doesn't promise to get us out of the Junk-of-the-Day Special.  But he can give us this cool little mustard seed of faith that helps us see beyond ourselves, to Him, into each other, to what is essential.  The sweet Spirit blast was on full flow this evening, healing, reconciliation, hope among our little family of five.  I want to ask Simon tomorrow if he recieved his portion too.