The rugged Selkirk Mountain Range, spanning Canada and the USA, is home to grizzly bears, cougars, and wolves. When my father was still able to go down into the mines, we lived at the foot of one of the mountains, in tenement housing provided by the mining company. Only a creek separated our house from the mountain. All the time, howls and growls from the wildlife would come off the mountain, especially when there was a full moon. However, left to our own devices, we kids ran loose and climbed around on the mountain exploring, with seldom a caution from any adults. My little brother, on the baby side of three years old, would tag along now and then, though if he complained, we would send him home.

One day, my little brother went missing. “I’ve looked everywhere and called his name, but he’s gone!” my mother said. In despair, she quoted the Bible, where, it seemed, as a believer, one could talk to mountains and they would listen:

“If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20b NLT)

But as everyone prayed, the Selkirks didn’t appear to be going anywhere.

A search party formed. Someone called the local paper to stand by. From the prayers sent up that day for my brother, I mark the beginnings of my faith, which has grown throughout my life. He eventually came stumbling out from a cupboard under the kitchen sink where he’d fallen asleep. He has since grown up to care for the helpless and be a blessing.

What did it take, or will it take, for you to come to faith? Even a tiny bit, the size of a pinhead, is enough to get us started believing. Someone said, Faith is not belief without proof but trust without reservation.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31b-32 NLT)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the miracle that grows the mustard seed of our faith into the tree that it is meant to be — a resting place for those still lost in the wilderness of this world. May we be serious about Your words of hope and find the reality of faith as we walk in this world with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.


Copyright © 2022, by Rose DeShaw <rise370@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission