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.