You cannot actually SHARE faith with a non-believer. But as your husband stands outside the circle of enlightenment that you feel, you can certainly move closer–so that your illumination brightens his world, as well.
It may be unlikely that you will ever kneel side-by-side in prayer, or spend an evening reading religious verses aloud by the fire, but hopefully he respects your beliefs and is not dismissive of them. He may even envy the comfort and sense of certainty that you derive from your faith, may even wish that he believed–but understand, as he understands, that deciding to believe would not be the same as believing. Belief has to happen.
What you CAN share with your husband is the benefit of the positive things your faith brings you:
• Bolstered by your faith, you’re able to show an optimistic outlook that is a soothing balm to one who “goes it alone” spiritually and is discouraged by life’s obstacles.
• A continuing sense of awe at the sheer physical artistry of nature as having been created on a flat, blank canvas; enjoy it together and nurture the awe within him.
• Your ethic of sacrificing for those you love can be seen in a dozen small sacrifices/acts of kindness that you do for him every day–right down to packing the last little bunch of plump, sweet grapes in his lunch instead of yielding to the temptation of finishing them off yourself–or staying up until the washing machine stops so his underwear can go in the dryer. AND, your recognition of the same ethic when he does something for you.
• Your ability to forgive a cruel remark or petty gesture, because you know it was really caused by his frustration at work.
• The fact that, if you have lost a loved one, you can be comforted in your belief that you will one day be reunited with them . . .
• . . . and believing this, that you can live your own life free of the terrible fear of the finality of death that afflicts non-believers. In the face of fear, there is nothing more reassuring than the utter lack of it.
• Your belief that God has His own plan, and that everything happens for a reason. Whether you married your husband in a religious or civil ceremony, you could scarcely do so behind God’s back; so don’t despair that your husband may not recognize hope, awe, sacrifice, forgiveness and love as key elements of Faith–if everything has a purpose, perhaps this is yours. And if you walk the same path, it’s unlikely you’ll arrive at different destinations. 03.20.09
