Keep them Wonder-ing

Keep them Wonder-ing

   Wonder and awe are words that have been used synonymously with reverence.  I realize, continually, in my relationship with God that there are incredible things to discover and experiences to live.  The results of where God has led me is I share my faith; the awful and awe-full parts.

   Each moment closely connected with God has sparked wonder in my life.  Encounters with God may have a similar effect in the lives of others too.  God uses our experiences to reach out to others, touching many and blessing many.  A friend once told me that God is not concerned with our abilities or inabilities (or even disabilities); God is most interested in our availability, dependability and reliability.

   The 'ability is by our choice.  With our, “Yes Lord,” we open a doorway for wonder-ing.  I have been a Catechist with different age children for several years.  God continues to show me that I am not a teacher, but rather a Catechist – one who shares their faith.

   What the students learn is up to them, based on their openness to learn.  I too learn about God through the students’ sharings.  In that way the wonder-ing keeps going in my life also.

   Wonder-ing is for anyone who wants to keep growing in their faith.  We can’t imagine all that God has and wants to share with us.  We can only take a little bit at a time.  But even that small amount of God’s love has left me awe-struck many times.  It is this kind of sharing from God that keeps me hungry and thirsty for more of a relationship.

   Some time ago I heard a quote, “A faith worth having is a faith worth sharing.”  I can’t expect to have a worthwhile relationship with Jesus unless I am also willing to act so others can meet Jesus too.  Those “others” could be ones close to us or even people we haven’t met yet.

   So keep the wonder-ing in your life.  It will naturally overflow and others will see the awesome reflection of God through you.  When we are wonder-full it is a wonderful occurrence for God’s kingdom.

My faith, a crutch

   Somebody once told me that I used my faith as a crutch for things that had no other explanation.  I don’t remember how I answered at the time, but in later reflection I came to understand much more about my faith – and yes, it is a crutch.

   But what is a crutch?  It is a tool to support a person in standing more upright.  It also helps a person who needs it to walk better.  In our faith journey we all need support and assistance as we grow in our relationship with God.

   For a while I was wandering in my faith walk.  When I chose the Catholic faith for myself (beyond the faith of my parents) and wanted a deeper relationship with Jesus, there were incredible experiences and lessons waiting for me.  It has been many years since that conversion and now God is much more a part of my life.

   Even though I don’t make room for God in my life all the time, when I do reach out for Jesus, I surely feel the presence of God.  Faith as a crutch was given a negative meaning because of one person’s viewpoint.  But that same phrase or concept was put into a positive light with a prayerful reflection.  It’s a continuous circle – we believe because we have faith, and we have faith because we believe.

   Faith and belief have always been there.  What develops is our learning.  We learn by example – from parents, siblings other relatives, priests, children, teachers, friends, and other role models.  Other ways include studying and life experiences.

   Another idea about a crutch is that it can be used in the process of healing.  In that sense, faith is a “crutch” because it helps to heal our broken lives.  Many times I have relied on my faith in God to get me through a difficult point and restore me to wholeness as a child of God.

   I often faced that kind of situation in writing the stories for newsletter columns.  I sometimes am the stumbling block, but with a prayer break, God guides me to a stepping stone.  So the crutch that is my faith gets put into practice extensively.

   As much as I realize the benefits of my faith, pride and my ego still get in the way.  I start many projects on my own and sometimes get to where success is nowhere in sight and progress is at a standstill – then the idea of relying on my faith kicks in.

   Why didn’t’ I just reach out to God from the start?  Things have been much easier when I started that way.  My faith has supported me often and continues to help me walk better.  Use your crutch too.  And be open to whatever way God reveals messages to you.

My Questionable Faith!

   I was born into a Catholic family.  I learned the Catholic Christian ways of worshipping, Catechism lessons, prepared for and received Sacraments, etc. that were part of growing up Catholic.  This was the faith of my parents that was handed on to me.

   Then it came, the point of questioning.  Why was I Catholic?  Did I want this faith for myself?  The answer was (and is) “Yes!”  I was looking for faith in my life and what I also found was life in my faith.

   My questions are signs of my hunger and thirst for God.  The answers are nourishment for the seeds of my faith.  If I don’t have the questions, whether in my mind, on my lips or in my heart, then I am probably not ready for the answers.

   When I ask the questions, that opens the way to let God in.  God’s answers could be through what someone else says, a book I read, or even in my thoughts (to name a few ways).  Most times I am astounded at the messages God pours into my life.

   Does the Word of God have a message that is alive for me?  In reading other people’s writings, listening to talks, and participating in discussions, I see new messages.  I can even relate more closely with the Gospel writers.

   I don’t think that they set out to be Gospel writers, but they were keeping journals of how they saw Jesus working in their lives and in the lives of others around them.  The stories of my faith walk are part of the gospel according to Ian.  Through prayer God’s Word comes alive in us.

   Storytelling is another way I gain understanding of God’s message.  I’ve learned that knowledge of the background, the circumstances and the customs fill in some gaps in the Gospel stories as well as other Bible writings.

   Jesus used stories to share God’s message.  The parables are a great teaching tool, but I’ve come up with many questions because of their vagueness.

   Those questions have been the hunger and thirst for God’s answers.  Those responses from God feed and quench what my faith needs to grow.  Our faith needs the nourishment just like our body, so don’t settle for junk food.  Pray about it and God will lead you to good resources.

   The positive effect of “my questionable faith,” is I’m growing closer to God.  Take advantage of your questionable faith; the benefits are fantastic.