The Weakness Of My Faith

Painted moisture rose soft against her ebony skin.

She hugged me; she held me close and said…

“How are we doing today, my friend”?

I smiled a little and was humbled by her infectious grace.

I didn’t know, without being cold what to really say.

For I knew of the road she had traveled, I knew where she had been.

So, lamely I said I was glad to see her looking so good again.

She then with precision hooked her tiny arm in mine.

She walked me to the table and sat with my wife and me to dine. I ordered sweet tea for me, and unsweetened for my wife.

I asked what she would like to drink, and she replied “just water for me”.

 It was then when I looked back her way that I noticed the glory in Hattie’s eyes.

Nine months of radiation and chemo had reduced her tiny frame but it was the glory of God that her eyes did proclaim.

She told us of the trials of cancer and the recent heart attack.

She told of the struggles that came with rehabilitation,

but then she smiled once again and told us how God had her back.

I sat there and listened to this amazing woman’s tale

and with each utterance of "Praise God" from her swollen lips

my own heart in its strength began to slowly fail.

Here was she, standing all of five feet tall…

singing praises to God for bringing her through it all.

And there sat I…

Wondering now of my faith if it were I who were dying.

Therefore, Dear Lord as I now stand before thee.

Give me this kind of faith to which more of you I can see.

For I am weak in the very sense of the word,

And I pray not that I falter and that I rest with you assured.

J. Allen Wilson © ELEVEN 2006

Updated page with my art

Heb.11

[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.