Faith That Moves Mountains (And Sometimes Even Us Stubborn Southerners)

How a Cajun Mama’s Wisdom and Noah’s Big Boat Reminded Me What Really Matters

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Well now, folks, I just got back from a little adventure up north to visit Debbie’s family, and let me tell you, sometimes the good Lord has a way of teaching you lessons when you least expect it. Furthermore, I learned that faith isn’t just some dusty old concept from Sunday school – it’s as real and necessary today as sweet tea on a hot Georgia afternoon.

When Faith Builds Arks (Both Ancient and Modern)

On our way to see family, we stopped by the Noah’s Ark Encounter in Kentucky, and mercy me, I was not prepared for what we found. This thing is massive – longer than two jumbo jets put together and three decks high! As we walked through those exhibits, consequently, I started thinking about what it must have taken for Noah to build that original ark.

Moreover, imagine the faith it required. Here’s Noah, building a boat the size of a small town, probably with his neighbors thinking he’d lost his ever-loving mind. Nevertheless, he kept hammering and sawing because God said so. That takes the kind of faith that doesn’t just believe – it acts.

Mama’s Lessons in Bayou Faith

Speaking of faith that acts, my Cajun mama taught me early on that faith isn’t just something you wear to church on Sundays like your good shoes. Additionally, she showed me through her daily life that real faith is what gets you through the tough times and keeps you grateful during the good ones.

I remember when Daddy was overseas with the Air Force, and Mama was raising us kids by herself. Therefore, money was tighter than bark on a tree, but she never let us see her worry. Instead, she’d say her prayers every morning over her coffee, then get to work making miracles happen with whatever we had. Consequently, she turned beans and rice into feasts, and somehow, we never went without.

“Cher,” she’d tell me in that sweet Cajun accent, “faith ain’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting God’s got ’em when you don’t.” As a result, that wisdom has stuck with me through every storm life’s thrown my way.

Faith in Action: Stories from Today’s World

Now, you might be wondering, “Dean, that’s all fine and good for Bible times and your mama’s day, but what about now?” Well, let me tell you, faith is still moving mountains – and hearts – all around us.

The Teacher Who Wouldn’t Give Up

Just last month, I read about a teacher in Alabama who started a food pantry at her school when she noticed kids coming to class hungry. Similarly to those biblical heroes, she didn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem. Instead, she stepped out in faith, started small with her own groceries, and now feeds hundreds of families. Furthermore, other schools are copying her model across the state.

The Businessman’s Second Chance

Then there’s the story of a businessman in Atlanta who lost everything in 2020. However, instead of giving up, he used his faith as an anchor. Consequently, he started helping other struggling business owners, and through that service, he rebuilt not just his own company but an entire network of thriving small businesses. Moreover, he credits his faith for showing him that sometimes you have to give before you receive.

The Community That Chose Love

Additionally, I’m reminded of the church in Texas that, after a devastating tornado, decided to rebuild not just their sanctuary but their entire neighborhood. Therefore, they organized volunteers, raised funds, and worked alongside families of all faiths – or no faith at all. As a result, they didn’t just restore buildings; they restored hope.

The Science of Faith: Why It Works

Now, I’m not just telling you stories here – there’s actual research that backs up what us believers have known all along. Furthermore, studies show that people with strong faith have:

– Better stress management (because worry doesn’t change anything, but faith changes everything)

– Stronger community connections (just like those biblical folks who stuck together)

– Greater resilience during hardship (faith gives you staying power when life knocks you down)

– Higher levels of hope and optimism (when you believe in something bigger than yourself, problems seem smaller)

Consequently, it turns out that faith isn’t just good for the soul – it’s good for the whole person.

Walking by Faith in Today’s World

So how do we live out this kind of faith today? Well, it starts with understanding what Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Start Where You Are

First, you don’t need to build an ark or move to the mission field. Instead, start with faith in your daily life. Moreover, trust God with your family, your work, your struggles. Additionally, like my mama did with her morning prayers and daily trust, make faith a habit, not just a Sunday event.

Act on What You Believe

Furthermore, real faith always leads to action. Therefore, if you believe God loves people, then love people. If you believe He cares about justice, then work for justice. Consequently, faith without works isn’t just incomplete – it’s not really faith at all.

Build Community

Moreover, notice how every faith story in Hebrews 11 connected people to something bigger than themselves. Similarly, find your community of believers. Additionally, encourage each other, pray together, and face life’s challenges as a team.

The Ripple Effect of Faith

Here’s what I’ve learned from watching faithful people – both in Scripture and in my own life: faith creates ripples. Therefore, when you step out in faith, you give others permission to do the same. Furthermore, when you trust God with your struggles, you show others they can too.

Consequently, that teacher who started the food pantry? Now other teachers are starting their own. Additionally, that businessman who rebuilt through service? He’s mentoring other entrepreneurs to do the same. Moreover, that church that rebuilt their community? They’ve inspired congregations across the country.

Faith for the Long Haul

Now, I won’t sugarcoat it – having faith doesn’t mean everything will be easy. However, it does mean you’ll never face anything alone. Furthermore, like Noah building that massive ark one board at a time, sometimes faith means doing the next right thing even when you can’t see the whole picture.

Additionally, as my mama used to say, “God’s timing ain’t always our timing, but it’s always perfect timing.” Therefore, faith teaches us patience alongside trust.

Your Faith Story Starts Today

So here’s my challenge for you, dear reader: What’s God calling you to build? What act of faith is He stirring in your heart? Moreover, it doesn’t have to be ark-sized – sometimes the biggest faith is found in the smallest steps.

Furthermore, maybe it’s forgiving someone who hurt you. Perhaps it’s starting that ministry you’ve been thinking about. Additionally, it could be trusting God with a relationship, a job, or a dream that seems impossible.

Consequently, whatever it is, remember that faith isn’t about having perfect understanding – it’s about perfect trust in a perfect God.

A Prayer for Faith-Filled Living

As I close this post, I’m reminded of the words my Cajun mama would pray over our family every morning: “Lord, give us faith to trust You with today, wisdom to see Your hand in our circumstances, and courage to follow where You lead.”

Therefore, may that be our prayer as we walk forward together, building our own arks of faith in a world that desperately needs to see God’s love in action.

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What’s your faith story? How has God shown up in your life when you stepped out in trust? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. After all, we’re all in this journey together, and your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

Remember, life is like a good bowl of gumbo – it’s better when shared with family. And in the family of faith, we’re all connected by something stronger than blood: the love of a God who never gives up on us.

Blessings and gumbo,  

Dean Burnette

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If this post encouraged you, please share it with someone who might need a reminder of God’s faithfulness today. Furthermore, don’t forget to subscribe to Southern Fried Thoughts for more stories served up with Southern charm and gospel truth.