vitamin

Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; man cannot live in health without them. Mahalia Jackson

https://www.brainyquote.com

Yesterday morning, our adult son was excited to share gummy vitamins and pro-biotics with his mother and me. While I have at various times sought to add vitamins to my generally healthy diet, lately I was collecting bottles of herbal remedies and vitamins and not obsessively taking them. But this may be changing; my bones and joints now inform me when the weather is changing and do not take kindly to overuse.

Like Mahalia Jackson, quoted here, I depend on a different sort of vitamin to maintain vitality. Faith, which is a reliance on things I do not need to see nor have to understand provided by an omnipotent, loving Creator. And through communicating to an always present God, I hope to be more often thankful for His benefits than petitioning for His Mercy. Like a breeze one cannot see, but know it exists by its effects, faith comes not from mind but from Hope. Faith in God, for those who do not doubt, is power to strengthen spirit and even physical health.

⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8 (NIV)

This past Sunday, I had asked our younger son to come to worship services with us; I was again gently put off. Not that my wife nor I are poor examples at home, but faith initially is a longing in each individual heart. I am reminded we could indeed be better disciples of Jesus to inspire our children. But just as vitamins by themselves do little good, faith that is not practiced, nor prayer that is consistent, are not going to achieve results. Personal example may influence others, but I am reminded even those closest to us may not “see” God’s influence now. But in due time, practice, example, prayer and faith in His promises may change hearts.