“Faith it till you make it” (09/05/2025)

Our young family moved to Tipton, Iowa on April 26, 1978. I remember it because it was my husband’s and my 9^th anniversary. I also remember it because of Bobby. Bobby lived across the street from our new home, and he was on the scene within five minutes of the moving van arriving.

Bobby introduced himself to my three children ages 5, 6, and 7. He was thrilled to have friends his age across the street. He was thrilled by so much that day. He was in the moving van, he was in the house, he was in the garage. He pretty much went wherever something caught his attention. I finally caught up with him and asked if he shouldn’t go home and check in with his mom. He told me, “No, she told me to have fun, and I am.”

Bobby was at our home bright and early the next day. He wanted to ride Big Wheels with my son on the sidewalk. I told them they had to stay on that side of the block, and that they couldn’t round the corners and go out of sight. They promised. I thought it was good until I looked up and they had gone down my neighbor’s sidewalk and mowed over her tulips. I had meant to introduce myself to all my neighbors later that week. But the boys had, it seemed, arranged for an earlier introduction. Mrs. Agne was nice but insistent that the boys not ride on that part of the block.

The next day, I was arranging things on the front porch and wasn’t really watching my step when I slipped and fell. As I tried to get up, I realized the porch had a substance on it. It turned out to be axle grease which Bobby had found in his dad’s garage. When I asked why he’d put it on my porch, he said, “to make it more sparkly.”  That was when I was pretty sure I was going to need help with that relationship.

And so, I prayed “Lord, I need your help to love this child. I know that he is one of your precious ones, but I am struggling, Lord. Help me please.”

Bobby spent every day at our home. One early evening in late May, his mother called and asked me to send him home. I found the kids playing and told Bobby he needed to go home. He popped up, walked to the door, turned back and said, “I’ll be back.” And I don’t know why, but I asked, “And why is that, Bobby?” to which he responded, “Because you love me.” And it hit me. The LORD was helping me. And I said, “Yes, we do, Bobby.”

I hadn’t thought of that for years. But this past week someone shared an article with me and the author, Isabella Campolattaro, used the phrase, “Faith it till you make it.” And I immediately remembered Bobby and my prayer to the LORD which the LORD did answer.

Bobby remained good friends with all three of my children until we moved in 1986 to Wisconsin. He was at our home every day he was in town. And he was right; we did love him. On my part, the love did come, but in the beginning, the LORD was my guide, and the LORD graced my moments with patience and understanding I didn’t know possible.

Bobby is my most memorable “faith it till you make it” example, but he isn’t the only. I have found myself in situations often over the years where my enthusiasm was shallow and the challenges were deep. But I learned along the way, most especially with Bobby, that when I find myself in that type of situation, I am not alone. Christ promised me His Spirit who guides me, graces me, and gifts me for the moment.

As we go forward in faith, let us remember to put our faith in the LORD who hears our prayers and answers them, who gifts us and graces us, and who works in us, with us and through us to bring His love to others.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.