Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark. – Rabindranath Tagore

Who among us has not had our faith tested? Even an atheist has faith in something. At this moment in time, most of us are experiencing a test of faith, whether up close and personal (happening to us or loved one) or viewing crises from some distance (happening to those we don’t personally know but identify with).

When life seems unfair, even blindly cruel, our sense of balance is thrown. We seek explanation, justification or, at least, perseverance through storms of circumstance. When there is little or nothing left to hold onto, we cling to faith. Faith is a uniquely human universal experience.

When we feel especially vulnerable or alone, solace and inspiration can be found in some of our best literature. They help renew and nourish our faith, whether the source of our faith comes from humanity or something beyond. How many of these books – fiction and non-fiction– have you read:

Fiction
The Power of One – Bryce Courtenay
Year of Wonders – Geraldine Brooks
The Kite Runner – Khaled Husseini
In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist – Ruchama King Feuerman
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah

Non-Fiction
Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
Mountains Beyond Mountains – Tracy Kidder
Letter to My Daughter – Maya Angelou
I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
Last Chance Mustang – Mitchell Bornstein

My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another. Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me up while I grew. Each prepared me for the next leaf on which I would land, and in this way I moved across the swamp of doubt and fear. – Anne Lamott