"Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."  And her daughter was healed at that moment."  (Matthew 15:28  NLT)

Have you ever tried to explain faith?  Looked up the definition?  Looked for it on Mr. Google?  I did check Mr. Google -- 1st definition: "complete trust or confidence."  The 2nd definition: "strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion."  Scripture tells us "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."  (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)  Or... I found this quote from Mahatma Gandhi - " Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into."

The Scripture readings today are about faith.  Joseph is pointing out, to his brothers, who he is and how "God did send me before you to preserve life."  (Genesis 45:5)  Romans is talking about how our "unbelief" becomes "belief" "that he might have mercy upon all."  (Romans 11:32)  And Jesus is talking to a woman about how he, Jesus, has come for the "house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) but the woman keeps calling and answering "the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the masters' table."  (15:27) Which is when Jesus tells her "Woman, you have great faith!" 

So, yes, there is "great faith" but it has taken time.  It hasn't happened as fast as we would like.  We do live in a "microwave," get it "NOW" world.  At the same time, like last week, if we want to walk on water we have to get out of the boat!  We also need to keep learning, growing and strengthening our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Something to think about..... 

""Come," he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"" (Matthew 14:29--30)

When you go for a walk what is your focus on?  How many steps your taking?  What the path you are on looks like?  The scenery around you?  I have been asked what I see when I'm walking...I tell people the path in front of me.  If you want me to look at something I come to a complete stop and look at what you are wanting me to see.  Why?  Because if I take my eyes off of where I am putting my feet I will find the crack in the sidewalk, the stick on the path, the stone or whatever there is to trip me or cause me to lose my balance.

The readings today are about how we are walking.  Romans is talking about how we are living our faith - talking about how we have felt God with us. (Romans 10:14)  The Gospel, especially, is pointing out "walking (living) our faith." We know the story.  We have thought about Peter saying something before he thinks about what he is saying.  He says he will come when Jesus calls.  He gets out of the boat.  He "walked on the water." (v. 29)  He was doing just fine until he took his eyes - his focus - off of Jesus.  "When he saw the wind" (probably the waves) he started to sink. (v. 30)  Another point to this is that "immediately" Jesus reached out his hand and saved him. (v. 31)

So....Are you following where God is calling you to go?  What is your focus on?  Something to be thinking about........

"The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."  (Matthew 14:21)

When I say "food" what do you think of?  Your favorite?  What you ate last night?  What you will NOT eat?  What about "feeding"?  How are you at feeding others?  Our mother had a special gift - she could feed however many sat down at her table.  She could do this no matter when you arrived at her table.  She did NOT pass this gift on to me - you are welcome at my table but let me know you are coming.

Today's readings are about faith and feeding/food.  Jacob's name is changed to Israel because of his faith in, and struggles with, God. (Genesis 32:28)  In Romans we are reminded of the patriarchs and the ancestry of Jesus - the Messiah.  (Romans 9:5) And Jesus is "feeding" 5,000 men (so probably closer to 10,000 people when you add in "women and children") (14:21)  But I want you to notice something...Jesus is healing (feeding) - body, teaching (feeding) - mind, fellowship (feeding) - Spirit.  The people sat on the grass and "he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."  (Matthew 14:19)  Jesus is "feeding" mind, body and Spirit.

So...my questions are - when, and where, are you feeding your Spirit?  How are you growing and strengthening your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit?  Yes, as Caregivers we are BUSY while things are changing and challenging.  All the more reason to make sure we are "feeding" our Spirit and strengthening our relationship with God.  Something to think about....