Keeping Faith

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

I’ve often wondered what keeps some people going in life who may not have faith.  Throughout my life, I’ve seldom had close friends who share my faith, but it has not deterred me from holding strong faith. Faith is what I rely on, for without it, there seems little room for hope.

Winter is slowly breezing its way in, with the gusts of cooler winds, leaves falling, and the slight still fall colors hanging on for dear life. The color transitions from a full array of vibrant colors to a diminishing grey, almost overnight.  As I walk in the pastures, the horses have grown their woolly winter coats, and the fall colors are just barely there.  The only color left is in the prominent and illustrious coats, adorning the horses preparing for the harsh winter. The stealth change appears almost overnight.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

Fall brings in the holidays and good cheer, and yet that cheer can sneak out as quickly as it comes in.  I will now enjoy the enriched bold colors of the herd, as their colors deepen within the thickness of their coats. It becomes bolder against the grey backgrounds of the bare trees.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

The herd gives me hope and strengthens my faith, for only God could create such a majestic creature as the horse. Of course, man is His most incredible creation, and yet still many have little faith, even with the wonder of human life, the greatest miracle of all.  

 When people fail me, I cling to my faith, and also the herd, for the spirit of God moves me in nature more than anything on the internet. I have been talking to God since I was a little girl, and I often found comfort in the woods behind our house, where a small creek ran through. I also had a place I would sit in the woods in a pasture where I kept one of my horses when I was a teenager. I would sit there, alone, and talk to God. I remember begging him to appear before me, wishing he could. I think I liked the innocence of childhood, believing that God was someone who sat on a throne, keeping the world safe. 

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

More than ever, these days, it would be nice to have this superior being on a throne somewhere, a place we could go and visit like Santa Claus and tell him our troubles. Faith is a lot like dreams; you must believe it to see it. Most people have it backwards. They believe that because they can’t see God, HE is a myth, and they say they will believe in their dreams when they come to fruition. Well, not believing it first will never bring them in, and not having faith in times of struggle will not heal you either. It is our faith that heals us, because once we plant that little seed of faith, things begin to shift and life begins to happen.

I am grateful my heart is full of faith, and also that my faith is so strong, no one can talk me out of believing, which is why I keep seeing the miracles of God work in my life. I’ve done things other people told me I could never do, and it is because of my faith. No one determines my destiny but God, and no one will prosper who is not for me. This, I know.

 Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

Keep your faith this coming season, and you may just see miracles performed for you. Christmas is about miracles, starting with the birth of Jesus Christ. I feel sad for those who have no faith, but I focus on my own faith to keep me whole. It keeps me moving forward and wanting more of what life has to offer. It also keeps me giving and wanting to be a greater source of inspiration.  

Just as the beauty and color of the herd deepens in the grey, barren winter, God brought me colorful winter coats to photograph, even when the green pastures are barren and the trees are colorless. HE still gives me art. Thank God for art! 

While you are keeping your faith, don't forget to talk about your faith. Never feel ashamed of having faith, and never be silent about faith. Faith is good and spreading your faith will be contagious when you share your miracles of faith. 

If you haven't read the Fall Issue of "Tamarah's Closet," you can purchase it and enjoy my faith. 

To your own success, rock it and keep the faith!

Tamarah Ellen