How can belief make a difference?

When we put our beliefs into action, great things can happen. See the profound effect belief is having on the world around us.


SD, Birmingham

I believe saints intercede on our behalf.

When I was in 1st grade, going to Catholic school, we got to pick our patron saints, saints we felt a special closeness to. My friend Tony picked St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. One day, the teacher asked for a volunteer to say the Hail Mary, which we’d just learned. Tony was the only one brave enough to do it, and I still remember how sweetly he said the prayer. My teacher even had tears in her eyes.

A week later Tony was killed in a car crash.

For some reason, I began to feel a special closeness to Tony’s patron saint, St. Anthony. It was like I had St. Anthony and Tony on my side whenever I’ve lost something, and it’s never let me down. One time I lost my car keys at a huge concert venue in Atlanta, and no one turned them in. The place was empty and the security guard had no interest in helping me out. I prayed for help from St. Anthony, almost before my prayer was finished, the guard’s walkie-talkie crackled to life. My keys had shown up. Situations like that have happened all my life, far too often for it to be coincidence: my friends’ passports and credit cards on a trip to Italy, my dog, my checkbook and dozens of other things have been lost and then found, thanks to my belief in the power of prayer and in the enduring power of friendship.

Marie S.

I believe doctors are lifesavers.

I was eight months pregnant and experiencing pain. I went in to St. Vincent’s for a checkup and Dr. John Edwards examined me. Everything seemed normal enough, but Dr. Edwards had a nagging feeling that he needed to give me an ultrasound. It was the weekend and he could have scheduled the test for the following week, but he decided to set it up right away. As it turns out, my baby had stopped growing and wasn’t receiving nutrients. She was in serious trouble. Dr. Edwards ordered an immediate C-section and within the hour I had a beautiful 4lb. 6 oz. baby girl. If Dr. Edwards would have put that ultrasound off until the next week my baby might not have made it. I believe Dr. Edwards saved my daughter’s’ life.

Shan S., Trussville

I believe we all have a guardian angel.

A few years ago my dad and I were getting ready to go out when my grandmother slumped over on the sofa. We quickly dialed 911 and the paramedics rushed to our home. They got there so fast we could actually see her heart coming back to its regular pace as the tape on the portable EKG printed out. The next morning she went in to have a pacemaker implanted. Later, the surgeon told us that after he hooked up the device her heart stopped completely. He flipped the switch and her heart returned to its normal rhythm. I don't know how many times the pacemaker has saved my grandmother's life since that morning, but I do know that if her Guardian Angel hadn't slowed our leaving the night before she surely wouldn't be with us today.

Angie L, St. Clair

I believe there's a little Santa Claus in us all.

When my father was in the hospital, his nurse Robin arranged for a special Christmas visit for him and my 4-year old daughter, Allison. Robin even went down to the hospital gift shop and purchased a teddy bear for Allison on Dad's behalf. I learned later that Robin clocked out and stayed past her shift, just to make sure the my daughter got her special gift. One day Allison will tell me she no longer believes in Santa Claus and I'll tell her why I still do.