What is a miracle? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as
miracle noun
mir·a·cle | \ ˈmir-i-kəl \
Definition of miracle
1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs (the healing miracles described in the Gospels)
2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment (The bridge is a miracle of engineering.)
I believe all of us agree with the first definition. And it’s what we think of when we first hear the word “miracle.” If someone would ask me what miracle I would wish for, I can tell you that it would be a cure for Duchenne. To have my son cured would definitely be a miracle.
This past Saturday was our 4th year at an event called Mizzouthon. Mizzouthon is a group of students at the University of Missouri-Columbia that hold a 13.1-hour dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. TJ is a Miracle Kid for the Children’s Hospital Network. Our family has benefited greatly – both through amazing physicians and financial assistance – from this network of physicians and hospital care. This past Saturday I saw numerous miracles. Now, I didn’t see them as such as they were happening. At the time it was just a good day, having a good time, and being around good people. But I got to thinking that what we experienced were in fact miracles.
We often wait for that “one big miracle” and often miss the “smaller” ones. I think it’s our nature. Some would say that these “smaller” miracles would fall under the second definition. They are simply unusual events, something out of the ordinary. And they are. But as I think about it more, I have no doubt Devine intervention was at play.
At what point do we label the positive things in our lives “miracles?” How often do we wait (or ask) for the burning bush or the mana falling from Heaven to admit that yes, what just happened to me was, in fact, a miracle? A group of college students has taken my son in as a part of their group. I have to ask myself why? We aren’t related. We have no ties to them. But they have become a part of our lives and our family just the same. And TJ loves to hang out with them. He considers them his friends. His family. A 15-year-old boy that has a hard time making eye contact sees a group of young men and can be himself around them. No questions. No judgment. No jokes. (Well, a lot of joking but just not at TJ’s expense as he may often see.) Yes, I consider all of that a miracle.
I don’t mean to diminish the meaning of miracles. I don’t want to take away from those unmistakable miracles where there is absolutely no other explanation that God intervened. I LOVE those miracles. I hope for those miracles. I pray daily for those miracles. I’m simply tired of not acknowledging the other daily miracles in our lives as I wait for the biggy. Is acknowledging the smaller everyday miracles somehow lessening the importance of the profound miracles? I don’t think so.
I pray for a cure for my son. I watch daily as this stupid disease takes more and more of his body. It strips him of independence, privacy, friendships, and so much more. So I often go around with blinders on. I continue to pray daily for that cure. That would be our big miracle. But if we didn’t take the time to just stop and acknowledge all the other wonderful things that God has provided for us, we might never acknowledge a miracle at all. And how tragic would that be? I’m not finished asking and praying for a cure. But I am finished not acknowledging the smaller miracles God grants us every single day. Every single moment.
How often do we limit God’s miracles? We often wait for the big-in-your-face event to acknowledge it as one. If we sit around waiting for the ideal miracle, we can’t appreciate all the little ones that happen all around us.
God’s miracles are abundant. Isn’t it time we stop putting limitations on the miracles he can deliver in our lives?
My challenge is this. Today, take note (literally write them down) of three miracles you witness today. Acknowledge three miracles today that any other day you would simply pass off as a good day. Even more than that, try letting God work miracles through you today for others. Be a miracle for someone else, just like the group of young men and women at Arnold Air Society is for TJ. It could be as simple as a “hello” and a sincere smile.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein
Photo Cred: Melissa Grindstaff (http://www.melissajane.photography/)
Melissa did my oldest son, Connor’s senior pictures. She’s done our family pictures before as well. We. Love. Her! On this particular photo session, it was all about Connor (since it rarely ever is). We told him it was his pictures and he got to take what he wanted to take. (Okay, so I was paying so I did offer a few friendly suggestions! Hee hee!) But Connor wanted pictures with his brother and a few with all of us. We didn’t have matching outfits. This picture wasn’t planned. Heck, I didn’t even have makeup on. But she captured my daily miracles perfectly. And I refuse to acknowledge my boys as anything less.