Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I could see her fragile, elderly frame slowly falling out of the bus and onto the hard cement below. As her walker began to fly out, one of its legs was caught on the folding door that had just barely missed crushing her. There were no screams, just the hum of the engine beneath us.

I moved into action, as did my 6 year old daughter, Brittany. She grabbed a hold of the stroller in which my wee toddler daughter, Chelsey, was sitting sleeping. I was surprised at the speed with which I moved in comparison to everyone else. I was heavily pregnant, and very ill at the time. But the object of my concern was not moving, and no one seemed to be bothered by it at all.

 Faith chooses to sacrifice security for wild adventure into the unknown

Jumping out of the bus, I commanded the driver to make a call for help. I gave his lack of compassion the benefit of the doubt after I heard his sputtered replies. After all, he was probably in shock as well. I was almost angered that the one person to jump to this dear woman’s aide was myself; the only sickly, pregnant one of them all. The experience would often return to me in my dreams, causing me to ponder life and all of its peculiarities.

The elderly woman was clearly in shock and in need of urgent medical care. Her leg lay at an awkward angle, bloody and bruised. She had a large knot forming on the top of her head, and her floral dress was torn and wet with blood. I used a baby blanket to try to stop her leg from bleeding. She reached up with her thin arm to caress my cheek with her gratitude. I took her hand and held it close. She had tears and was in obvious pain, but the shock of the experience was more than her tiny frame could manage. Her eyes wandered and fixed on mine as she tried to catch her breath. I could her the sound of help speeding towards us. Why does help always seem to take forever?

Soon the strong men came, reports were taken while she was attended to. I was surprised when they asked me if I needed to go to hospital as well, as I evidently looked unwell. I assured them that I was quite fine, and on the way to my antenatal.  No need to worry about me. They assured me the dear woman would be fine and I never saw any of them again.

Faith Dare, The: 30 Days to Live Your Life to the Fullest

As I begin a new month and this 30 Day Faith Dare; I was reminded of this incident that happened over two decades ago.

Life is full of what I call “Faith Chips”. {In our family we also use the term “Grace Chips” quite frequently, but that is another story for another day} To fully understand “Faith Chips”, you must understand “faith”, which is clearly defined as {confidence or trust in a person or thing~faith in another’s ability}.

To have faith, we need to have something that stirs our inner being towards it. It usually comes to us as a need, an urgent one.  Sometimes the need is physical or a financial one perhaps.  We first sensed that need within our very spirits when we cried out to the Lord for salvation from our sin-stained souls. Something deep within us was drawn toward the extravagant Love of the Father, who sacrificed everything for those He loved so dearly. Faith sacrifices.  Faith gives.

Yes, Faith sacrifices. Faith chooses to sacrifice security for wild adventure into the unknown. Faith is never content to be a spectator on the sidelines of life. Faith desires to rush in, putting action to all the possibilities imagined. Faith moves mountains.

And just like a good bag of chips, Faith is “more-ish”.  Once you have experienced it, you desire more and more and more.

Without faith, we wander hopelessly.  We watch along the sidelines, never daring to dream. We say things like, “Oh, I could never do that.”

But you can. You can and you must if you want to flourish.

Faith is never content to be a spectator on the sidelines of life

So, are you willing to jump out of the bus? Are you ready to put feet to your faith;  move mountains, and mend souls? Does your soul need some mending? Mine does. I need a few Faith Chips tonight. So, come on… I Dare you. Yes, I Double Dog Dare You. Grab those Faith Chips, get off the sidelines and find out what an adventure it is to serve the Living God.

And without faith it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6