Faith: the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not yet seen. In Spanish, Santa Fe is not just the name of a wonderful city; its purest meaning is "holy faith." In this ever-changing often chaotic world, faith isn't always easy to summon. Real life has a way of knocking the wind from your sails. Faith enables you to get back up and try again. When your heart is breaking after walking away from a man you love, even though he's toxic to your existence; when you're so desperate with grief that an angel in the guise of your late grandmother appears at your side to calm you; when as a single mom you're forced to sell a valuable piece of jewelry for a tenth of its worth to buy food for your child; when a Harley Street doctor pronounces bad news and you're so stunned, you stumble into Liberty of London and buy a Philosophy product called "Grace," ridiculously hoping its name might help blunt the trauma or at least help you face the situation with grace. Faith is what sustains us; it's what gets us through dark days and long nights. Faith is believing that whatever life throws at us, we are strong enough to handle it. Faith sometimes has to do with spirituality more than religion, because faith is subjective. It doesn't matter if you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or anything else. Faith comes from within and steadies us through life's challenges and opportunities.
Handmade Spanish crosses, Mexican milagros and antique Italian church ornaments (pictured above) are potent symbols of faith, prayer and miracles.
This piece was written for Sunday Scribblings. Click "Real life" link above to connect to the site.
Faith, your so right it makes a difference, I had forgotten that.
Posted by: harmonyinline | 11 April 2006 at 18:14
wonderful words, love your collection. I want to hang a cross over my door (vs. a horseshoe). Faith and hope too...
Posted by: jennifer | 11 April 2006 at 17:17
I adore this post and how you talked so much about faith. That is something I'm struggling with--possibly looking for a magic pill instead of acknowedging that it is a process. Thank you so much for your beautiful words--they really resonated with me!
Posted by: Cate | 11 April 2006 at 17:13
Wow! I really liked this piece. The center, where you talk about grace really hit home. Thank you!
Posted by: GoGo | 11 April 2006 at 17:12
Thanks for stopping by my blog ... I'm so glad I came to visit yours! This is beautifully put. THANKS!
Posted by: HoBess | 11 April 2006 at 15:45
Thank you! Yes, it's my collection (begun in 1999 and still in progress).
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 11 April 2006 at 14:57
Love your piece Tara...is that your collection on the wall ? If so...you are so lucky. :)
Posted by: Cookie | 11 April 2006 at 14:49