Faith

I have heard and read the story of the woman with the issue of blood many times.  (Mark 5:25-34) When I read it this week, and even now thinking and writing about it, I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for the spirit and knowledge I was able to gain from this story this time. Coincidentally, two days later, I was reading in Ether about the brother of Jared bringing stones to the Lord to light. 

These stories made me consider my own faith, and as little as it may be sometimes, the great things that happen line upon line, little by little.  It really is by the small things great things come to pass.  For me there have been the tiniest prayers answered, and the big, weighted questions on my mind answered, and things that happened which I never thought they could.  I believe it is because of God's mercy and my faith; my willingness to do something about what I believe.    

One of the hard parts in faith is thinking that I don’t have enough of it because the miracles I am hoping for haven’t happened or questions remain unanswered.  There are even things that seem to indicate that they will never happen which causes more frustrations.  Though I may slack in my efforts and faith in some of these moments, I am truly grateful I have not let my my faith die.  
Despite those hard, frustrating times when faith is tried; we can still feel the peace and understanding that comes from the mercy and grace of the Atonement.  I do not know what kind of faith the woman with the blood sickness had, or the faith that the brother of Jared had.  It might've been their first time ever experiencing any action of faith in their life, or might've been their millionth  step on the faith ladder.  Either way, they did something about their faith.  They reached out to Him.  They asked of Him.  They sought Him.