Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I Gotta Have Faith


"Faith is stepping out on nothing
and landing on something"


I heard that years ago when I was in a hotel room in Turkey. It's one of those messages that came right on time. This was back in the days when I was a designer and I was in Turkey to get samples made to put in our showroom to show buyers the new designs we had for the season.
Sidebar: Note to Sheree ATL Housewife. This is how a desiger does it. You watch your garments getting made to make sure they are done right.


But I digress. I had never been to Turkey, heck, like Sarah Palin, I had never been out of the country and for this to be my first trip I was pretty scared. See, I was sent all by my lonesome to get the job done and I was not sure I could do it. Plus I had left my twin babies back at home. Eek.


I remember being in the hotel room on a Sunday flipping though the TV desperately looking for anything in English when I stumbled across BBC religious broadcasting. I rolled my eyes, but stopped anyway because it was the only thing in English and I was lonely. On the screen was an African preacher and I can't tell you what he was preaching on or talking about, but I do remember the one line he said that stuck with me all these many years.


"Faith is stepping out on nothing and landing on something."


Wham! I was dumbstruck. It was like a light-bulb went off. I felt like finally I got this faith thing. This believing in what you can't see thing. This believing in yourself, your ideas, your dreams, your hopes for the future, just believing. Faith. Wow.


So what brought this on? No, I'm not trying to convert any of you to the: Kwana Faith Believers Church. And really, like always, (I have teens) I'm talking to myself. Tell a friend about this blog, please. But seriously, It was another blog post that I read from a mother who lost her job and she was totally pissed at everything, rightly so. I get that. Cut to me most days. Just give me a reason and watch me go. Picture me with a cigarette and a cosmo and I don't even smoke.
I told her to have faith. Which sounds so lame and corny. Doesn't it? Then I remembered the saying from all those years ago. I hadn't thought of it in a long while and I really think I needed to. I think my Faith had been slipping a bit because Faith alone is nothing. Faith needs a partner. Action.

So thanks to her for this reminder and I hope in these terribly bleak economic times we all keep up our FAITH. Hey, layaway is back at tons of stores. Yeesh! Way to go out on high Bushie.


Best,
Kwana
Painting: Allegory of the Catholic Faith -Johannes Vermeer (Dutch, 1632–1675)

16 comments:

Leciawp said...

I love that - "faith is stepping out on nothing and landing on something".

Kristen Painter said...

I have tons of faith, which is why I don't worry about much.

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

David Dust said...

I would SO join the Kwana Faith Believer's Church...

XOXOXOXOXO

Ina in Alaska said...

Kwana, I was looking at the lovely painting and thought "Vermeer" and was happy to be correct!!!

Amen Kwana, of the KFBC--I am IN! Thanks for the beautiful thought for the day. Your words put me in that lonely hotel room in Turkey, with the inspiring outcome.

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Oh I just love that quote Kwana. But more importantly I love your thinking that Faith needs a partner and that it's Action. It is so true. Faith always need a little nudge to make things happen.

Kwana said...

Thanks Dessert.

That's the way to be Kristen. Most times I worry too much. I say the Hebrews scripture often.

David you're a sweetheart, You'd be in my church and I'd be a faithful Dust Bunny!

Thanks so much Ina.

Yes, Action in important High-Heeled otherwise we're just sitting there waiting and waiting.

Petunia Face said...

"Faith is not belief without truth, but trust without reservation."

My problem is I have trust issues.

But seriously--thank you for all of the kind comments on my blog and for the shout out. I guess faith isn't a have or have not, but something you work on constantly.

Marley Gibson said...

Great blog, sweetie!

Big hugs! = )

pve design said...

One of my favorite paintings and now I can add that quote. Love it!

Megan Frampton said...

So--Faith In Action Lady: Because of you, I went to the gym yesterday. Did you get a chance to write?

Kwana said...

Beautiful quote Petunia. I so hear you on the trust thing. It's very hard. I'll keep working at it too.

Thanks Marley hugs to you too.

I'm glad you like the quote Patricia.

Kwana said...

Not really Megan, I glanced. Ha! But you'll be happy to know I'm getting through reading/editing the pages today. 10 so far. Taking a short lunch break now, but will be back at it in a minute. The story is not as bad as it was last week. Go figure.

I'm glad you made it to the gym! Maybe later for me.

ACTION!

Jax Cassidy said...

Great post! What's funny is I just did a whole article on inspirational quotes recently. You can catch it on www.romancedivas.com/resources.html

Your faith will guide you through the tough times. I hold fast to that belief.

corine said...

I believe.. but not in anything organized.

heidi said...

Hey, thanks for stopping by! Faith is absolutely stepping out on nothing & landing on something.
Thanks for the reminder!

News Readin' Wife said...

Great post. Thank you.

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