Keeping My Eyes on Christ: Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief

Amanda and Patrick Leigh 10/05/2013

“Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’” – Matthew 14:31

As a husband and father in today’s world, I often feel like I’m standing in the middle of a storm. The demands are constant, whether it be financial, emotional, or spiritual, I frequently wonder if I’m measuring up. There are days when I feel like I’m sinking beneath the weight of it all. But then I remember, I’m not doing this alone.

When I stood before the altar and received the Sacrament of Matrimony, it wasn’t just my wife and me, it was the two of us, and Christ. Jesus became the third person in our covenant, not as a distant observer but as an active, living presence. He is with us in our triumphs, and especially in our struggles. He is the center of our marriage, the One we lean on when we feel weakest.

My wife is my partner in everything. She runs our home with grace and strength. She handles our finances, so well, in fact, that I often joke I don’t even know how much I make; I just give her my earnings and she takes care of the rest. I ask her if it’s ok to buy things, but that is ok because I know she runs that part of our lives and I’m so thankful for that . I trust her completely because she is constantly placing Christ at the center of our decisions.

Still, even with a strong marriage and deep faith, I’m human. I falter. I get distracted by the waves crashing around me—the increasing bills, the pressure to be a good provider, the constant noise of the world. It’s easy to lose focus. It’s easy to be like Peter.

In Matthew 14:22–36, we read the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter, bold in faith, steps out of the boat to meet the Lord. But the moment he notices the wind and the waves, he begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out and saves him. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I see myself in Peter. One moment, I’m walking confidently toward Jesus, and the next, I’m overwhelmed by everything I can’t control. But Jesus doesn’t leave me to drown in doubt. He reaches out, even when my faith is fragile. That’s why I pray, often: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

That one line grounds me. It reminds me that faith doesn’t mean perfection. It means trust. It means stepping out of the boat every day, even if the sea is rough. It means keeping my eyes fixed on Christ instead of the chaos around me.

Faith as a father isn’t just about Sunday Mass or bedtime prayers with my kids. It’s about leading by example, and showing them what it looks like to trust Jesus when things are uncertain. It’s about teaching them to cling to Him when the waves rise. And sometimes, it’s about admitting when I’m sinking and reaching up for His hand.

So if you’re a father, a husband, or just someone trying to stay afloat in life’s storm, know this Jesus is already walking on the water toward you. He is not far. He is not waiting for you to get it all right. He just wants you to believe. Even when your belief feels small.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

God Bless,

Patrick Leigh, COO

The Modern Apostle LLC