“Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” -Saint Augustine

There are so many things that we can’t visualize or touch in life, and they’re usually the things that make us explore emotions that we haven’t explored in a long time, or which catch us off guard.

Belief — something inherently intangible — in something else that’s intangible. Or tangible. Regardless, we can’t touch belief.

Compassion. We can’t touch that, either.

Concern.

Admiration.

Honor.

Devotion.

Fear.

Sadness.

Desperation.

Shame.

What else catches us off guard? Michigan sunshine in January which, surprisingly, doesn’t mean it’s warm outside. That one always used to get me. Who else, besides me, would take their trash outside in shorts and flip-flops when it’s 15 degrees? Oh, yeah: nobody. Anyway, warmth can’t be touched, either.

Felt? Yes, to all of the above (except for the last one, apparently). Seen? No.

What else?

Love.

If faith is to believe what you do not see, is the reward for believing in “happily ever after” seeing someone walk through the door that you can picture the rest of your life with?

Is the reward for believing in admirable people seeing someone before you who does the right thing first instead of putting the bottom line before all else?

Is the reward for acknowledging fear seeing the path that will take you from the darkness into the light?

I’d like to think that it is.

Tonight, I am thankful for faith. I am thankful for its hope, for its encouragement and for its urging to never give up. I’m thankful for its undying energy, for its relentless forward motion and for its comfort when all else seems lost.