Eboo Patel: Acts of Faith

One of my classmates attends a Muslim Journeys class that meets once a month at the local college. When she found out that I had been married to a Muslim, she invited me to the meeting hoping that I would be able to take away something positive.  Before the gathering, I was given Eboo Patel's book Acts of Faith to read and a group of about 20 people showed up to discuss his work. 

Photograph by Nubar Alexanian

Mr. Patel is deeply involved in Interfaith work, but this book is really more about a journey, a coming to terms with your own beliefs. He encourages everyday people like you and me to explore other religions so that we will become a stronger believer in our own faith. But first, we must have dialogue and find a common value between the religions. Then we can work together to help mankind. A service that is to be done for His glory and not ours. What I thought would be a boring read turned out to be one of encouragement and inspiration.  

Here is a quote from my favorite poet which is very fitting for this post:

I am not from the east or the west

not up from the ground

or out of the ocean

my place is placeless

a trace of the traceless

I belong to the Beloved.

Rumi

   

From imagining to reality

 

If you can shape it in your mind,

you will find it in your life.

I found this little saying in a fortune cookie.  It is very encouraging, isn't it?  I remember wanting to move to Tennessee so badly a few years back. All I thought about was living there nestled in the Tennessee Valley surrounded by the most beautiful mountains I had ever seen. My roots are there. It was the place of my birth. All of my energy was put into moving to this wonderful place. By faith, I packed up my belongings and lived amongst boxes for a few months. Then magic happened.  I was offered a job and the company moved  my belongings for me. Before I knew it, I had moved.  I know dreams come true. It is in the believing that makes things happen. What are you dreaming of?  Believe.