Faith Over Fear:

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”  Hebrews 11:1

I grew up in a small town in Alabama called Boligee and I am the middle of three sisters. I had a hard working dad and the most loving, kind, and patient mother.  My father, Richard, gave me a love for cooking, fishing, and the outdoors. He taught me the importance of a garden and taking care of the land. My mother, Brenda, gave me a love like no other and she taught me so many lessons about life.  One of the most important lessons that I learned from her was how to treat people.  She never said it out loud, she lived it.

I was not an easy teenager to raise.  Brenda was so patient with me and had so much faith in me.  She had faith that God would keep working on me and that he wouldn’t give up on me.

Now, I am a wife and a mom to two sons.  My husband, Nicky, is a person of who I am so proud.  He is 19 years sober and is the hardest worker that I know.  He has given our sons the love of hunting and fishing, he taught them to be respectful of everyone, and to always work hard for what you want.  He has grown into the best husband and friend.   Nick, is 24 and married to the sweetest girl, Mallory. They are the perfect fit.  Nick flies by the seat of his pants, always has a smile, and doesn’t sweat anything.   Mallory is very organized and is a planner.  They have dated since they were 15. God knew what he was doing when he put them together.  Nick has taught me more than I have ever taught him.  He is so much like my mom and has the biggest heart of anyone that I know.  He is also his brother’s keeper.  Jacob is my youngest who is 18.  He is the daredevil of the family.  He has always lived life like it is his last day.  He has taught me to not sweat the small stuff and to never give up.  Almost three years ago, I learned what the verse Hebrews 11:1 really means through Jacob’s injury.  As parents, my husband and I were always able to fix just about anything within our family, we thought…  Then, one night on September 6, around 7:00, we were brought to our knees where our family faced the darkest time in our lives.

It was when we read God’s word and realized there was not a thing we could do to change or fix this season in our life. We had nothing else to cling to but faith.  As we trusted God hour by hour, day by day, month by month, and year by year. He continues to show up BIG in our lives and in Jacob’s restoration. We are in awe every day. Jacob has taught me to let my faith be big and that God is always near.

We have learned through the biggest trial in our life that if you believe with a heart of faith, know that God is near, trust God, and pray, that God hears us and he will provide strength and help us.

We have sticky notes on our bathroom mirrors of verses that are so important to us. I want to leave you with one of Jacob and my favorite verses.

Regularly we quote together Ephesians 3:20 which says, “He can do immeasurable more that we can ask or imagine.”

God Bless,

Susan Browder