"What does faith feel like?" That was the question a
friend sent me in a letter the other day. As I was thinking about how to answer
him a single memory kept coming back into my mind. I was 5 years old and very
sick. The doctors told my Mom that my tonsils were swollen, infected, and needed
to come out. Surgery was scheduled for the next day and I spent the night in the
hospital with my Mom sitting at my bedside. She told me gently not to be scared,
that she was there for me and would be right here when I woke up after the
operation.
The next morning the nurses gave me something to sleep before surgery and the
last thing I remembered before going under was seeing my Mom’s smiling face.
That is until I suddenly woke up to find myself surrounded by strange adults
wearing masks. I had come to just before the operation was to begin. My young
heart was filled with terror and I sat straight up and screamed "Mommy!" As loud
as my painful throat possibly could. The next thing I remembered was seeing my
Mom’s loving smile again in the recovery room. She held my hand, whispered words
of comfort, and brought me a bowl of ice cream. Even though my throat still hurt
I wasn’t scared anymore. I felt loved and everything seemed right with the world
again.
That is what faith feels like to me. It is feeling loved, cared for, and watched
over. It is knowing that no matter how painful or scary life gets you need only
to call out to God and He will be there for you. It is having the gentle touch
of His hand on your spirit and the loving whisper of His voice in your heart. It
is even enjoying the delicious, ice cream filled days of happiness that He gives
you here. Most of all, though, it is knowing that you are His Child. Your
Heavenly Father loves you joyously, powerfully, and perfectly. Have faith in His
love then. Rejoice in your birthright. And share your love with the world.
Joseph J. Mazzella joecool@wirefire.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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