Haven't we been here before, Lord?
On this blog, I haven't been shy to share about my issue with control. Find your way to the subject "control" on the right and you will get a slew of posts...
In and out goes the tide on this lesson of control.
Have I learned things? Yep. Have I moved forward? Yep. And, back again? Yep. Ebb and flow.
One thing I would "love" to control... or at least I think I do, on one level, ...is faith.
I want to control faith.
My faith. Your faith. His faith and her faith.
...and somewhere deep within I "believe" that it is my fault that you don't believe. Or, he doesn't believe. Or, it is my fault that she is not further along in her journey. Where does this come from, Lord? Why do I feel this way? Show me truth, I ask, Father.
I talked with God about this very subject, yet again!, a few days ago. I asked and I listened. And, I asked again. Instead of answers, I just felt confusion. No response. No whisper. I just had brain-fog.
Why do I feel it is my fault, Lord? Please, show me Your Thoughts about my heart... about control.
Nothing.
So, in the early morning hours, I donned my warm jack, mud-stained boots and scarf and decided to go on a walk. Fresh air. I just needed to breath fresh air into my muddled soul.
As I walked... was it even 10 paces?... I had a light-filled thought waft across my mind: you, Stephanie, are not the author and perfecter of faith.
I am not the author. I am not the perfecter. It is not my job! I don't own faith, or give it, or create it, or grow it. I am not the author and perfecter of faith!!
Okay, I know this doesn't seem too terribly profound to any of you readers... and certainly this wasn't "new" to me either; but, it was BIG. With these words, came a God-filled ebb that crashed over my brain and enlighten the eyes of my heart!
With this thought came the sweet ebb of release and the agitation subsided.
Oh yeah! Lord, I don't have to author faith in him. Or, in her. And, I don't have to perfect faith in me. Or, them. That is your job!
Yes, Stephanie. I am the Author and Perfecter of faith... not you. And, yes, we have been here before, my sweet girl.
