Ever thought about what is at the root of your faith?   I have always tried to actively live my faith daily,  but this past week I crossed over into a place where my definitions for all things pertaining to my belief changed.  I was challenged by God to step out and be blindly obedient

Since moving to Minnesota in 1995, I have learned to cope with the distance I have from my immediate family who all have remain in California.  While visiting with my mother on the phone the other night, she shared with me that she had just received a phone call from Missouri.  Her younger sister, my aunt (who also lives in Missouri) had quite suddenly been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I have not seen my aunt in 15 years and instantly all kinds of thoughts went through my head.  Where had the time gone, how long does she have, is it cancer, what happens next, and then the epiphany.  My aunt doesn’t know Christ.

In all the years I have had a relationship with Christ, I have been convicted of many things, but for the first time I was faced with contemplating the eternity of a family member. So much goes through your head when you are trying to justify your position to yourself.  All the reasons why it was not my problem, not to mention the typical everyday legitimate excuses, for why traveling to Missouri to see someone I had not been in contact with for 15 years was ridiculous.  And the worst one of all…..What if she doesn’t want to see me? 

But the thing is, when God asks you to do something He doesn’t really have to give you a reason.  I believe He always has one, but that doesn’t mean you get to know what it is. That is faith.  Faith, you see, is paved with steps of obedience.   And if we choose obedience we have an opportunity not only to exercise our faith, but to strengthen it as well.

As more and more information came in about my aunts condition it became brutally apparent to me that I was not getting out of this trip.  My husband was ever supportive in all the ways needed.  He changed the oil in the suburban, check all the fluids and offered  to hold down the fort while I was away.  I left for New Haven, Missouri on Friday, February 11 at 4pm.  My oldest son graciously offered to chaperone and I am so thankful for his obedience and committment to his mother.  We arrived in New Haven on Saturday, February 12 at 12:30pm. 

Due to unforseen circumstances the time I spent with my aunt was one hour.  I had the opportunity to sit by her bedside, reminisce about time gone by and show her all that has been happening in my life for the last 15 years.  As I reached out to say good-bye I took that opportunity to pray for her and make sure she knew that it would continue.  No grand miracle occurred in those few moments of time but, as I prepared to leave she reached out, took my hand and expressed sincere gratitude for my willingness to come and see her.  In that moment I knew that I had done the right thing.

My son and I left as quickly as we came and by Sunday, February 13, 2pm we pulled into our home in Minnesota.  As I have had time to reflect on this trip many things have been laid upon my heart.  It is said that as Christians we all have different roles to play and some are there for planting while others are there for the harvest.  I know I planted seeds that day.  I also know that God will send someone to tend them.  Additionally, I realized that not only did my faith grow and increase through my obedience but so did that of my children as they witnessed their mother’s journey.

My son an I traveled 1400 miles in less that 48 hours.  And we did it for a one hour opportunity.  And I am here to say, it was worth every second.

God Bless