How It Began

"Mommy can you rewind Pinnochio? I want to watch it again pleeeaaasse..." My mom was busy with dishes and making dinner and thought it strange that I want to watch the movie over again but she granted my wishes knowing it would occupy me long enough to finish with her duties. "Mommy I want Jesus in my heart, will you help me?" "Sarah what made you decide you want Jesus in your heart now?" said my mother. "I don't want to end up like Pinnochio in the whale's tummy. I want Jesus in my heart to protect me" replied my 4 year old self. Trying to not laugh too noticeably since this was indeed a serious matter to save me from any future of being eaten by whales my sweet mom said "Well then let's pray together and ask Jesus to come into your heart and be with you always. Repeat after me honey....Dear Jesus..." and in the softest little voice, determined to keep up with this very important prayer I repeated my mother's words and that was the first time I experienced faith into life.

There are those moments in life where the darkness is all you can see, where the waves keep crashing over you and all you are hoping for is the split second to come where the sun peaks above the horizon again.....the waves calm and peace is completely surrounding you. The moment that you anticipate every morning when you wake up or in the midst of every storm that comes your way. You have no promise or surity, just the faith that says "The sun will rise again and the waves will calm".

My absolute favorite verse and probably so because it has been my lighthouse throughout life this promise...this constant. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen Hebrews 11:1 We cannot see the sun before it rises but we have faith that it will rise and we will see the next morning. We cannot feel the light breeze or peace, but instead the heavy winds slapping and rain pouring down in storms and yet we somehow know...we hold to faith... that soon the storm will calm and soon we will have peace again.

Many other moments have happened since that first one that continued showing me faith that was spun right up into my life like a beautiful web. Watching as my father walked out of our lives and has chosen to have nothing to do with us, the faith that rose up in knowing that I have a heavenly father who loves me more than I can ever imagine and feeling that love on a daily basis. Watching as my friend-my mother in law took her last breath and walked into the arms of love, how beautiful that moment truly was even in the sadness of saying goodbye. Watching as my mother's eyes danced that last day together only to suddenly have lost her so fast just hours later. In each moment the sun has always risen the very next day and I have faith that it will continue to.

This life I have been given is nothing more than a pure gift. Where I have been blessed with my amazing husband who leads and loves like a strong tower over me and where I have the love of a beautiful child who calls me "Mama". This is a comprise of my passions, thoughts, fears, hopes and stories...all real... faith into life moments.

Thanks for reading and be blessed~

~Sarah Renee'