My daughter Brielle and I were riding along in the car, headed home. She sat in her car seat singing her little heart out. Brielle enjoys singing every nursery rhyme ever created and loves to make up her own songs. After singing most of the ride home, I noticed she became really quiet. I took a quick glimpse of her through my rear view mirror to make sure she was okay. Brielle seemed to be pondering something in her head. She asked me in a curious tone, “Mommy, how can Jesus live in my heart?” Of course, I was stunned by her question. My first thought was, “Oh, Wow! She is absorbing what is being presented to her in church, school, and at home.” I chose my words carefully while answering her. I explained to Brielle how Jesus can come live in her heart. We prayed together and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Immediately after we finished, Brielle said, “Mom, I do not see Jesus in my heart!” I reassured her that Jesus was there. She started back singing her version of a nursery rhyme.

The entire conversation made me think about when I first accepted Jesus into my life. In the beginning, things were smooth sailing. As I grew spiritually my blind faith began to waver. I longed to see Jesus visibly. You know… in those tough times when you want him to take a seat at your dinner table to answer every question you have concerning the situation you’re facing and the future. But, that is not exactly how things are always laid out before us. It is all about faith. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the star in a cliffhanger movie. Through it all, I grow to realize God is stretching my faith. It does not always feel good, but it is worth it at the end of every test. We must stay connected to God through prayer and reading His word. Those are our blueprints during those non-visual times.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (KJV, Hebrews 11:1)