Miracles
Do you believe in miracles? That's a question a lot of people ask others. And it's one question that can often be misunderstood I think.
How often have you asked someone that question and they've had a hard time answering it? Or they've simply said no.
And when that answer comes in a negative form, does it make you feel that perhaps they don't believe in Christ and all that he did? Well, before we start thinking that way, what we need to do is step back and take a look at the question we're asking, and what might it mean to them.
It's very possible that when someone hears that question the first thing that comes to mind are miracles that were performed by Christ himself. Raising from the dead, healing the sick with just a touch of his hand, changing water into wine and multiplying the loaves and fishes with just a thought. These might be some of the things that might be going through someones mind when you confront them with that question.
Now if you put it in that perspective, they might find it hard to believe in the occurances of miracles happening on that level, especially in this day and age. After all, what person could actually believe you, me, or others could perform such feats? Would be pretty tough to swallow, don't you think?
And that's why we need to take a look at exactly what miracles are and perhaps what miracles can be. Things that happen around us that perhaps get missed in our daily lives, things that actually are miracles if we take the time to examine them closely.
Can I walk on water? No, well if there's solid ground under me I can. But in reality no I can't. But if I can walk over to a person who is in tears and take those tears away by replacing them by putting a smile on their face, then I've just performed a miracle.
If you can receive joy from the sound of a child laughing, then you've just experienced a miracle.
If you can open your heart and sit down and talk to a perfect stranger while waiting for the bus instead of completely ignoring them, then you've just participated in a miracle.
If you're a woman and have given birth then you've experienced a miracle beyond words.
If you are parents and are dealing with teenagers without having to see them struggle with drugs and deliquency then you are surely blessed with a miracle.
If you are parents and witnessed your childs first steps or first words, can you not think of that as a miracle?
All you have to do is look around you. Each and every day and you'll see the miracles of life happening before your very own eyes. It's not that hard to do. It's when someone tries to find them, tries to find the "big one" that is when they will have trouble answering the question..."Do you believe in miracles?"
Miracles aren't planned. You can't jot down in your date planner that you are going to witness a miracle today, that you are going to find a miracle today. They just happen, God makes them happen, WE make them happen.
Think about the love of your life and how you met him or her and how you are together now and how you have stuck through all the highs and lows of the relationship to get to where you are today. Two people, working together, loving, laughing and crying together. Is that not a miracle?
Do you have a pet? A cat or dog for instance. Think of all the unconditional love you receive from them, the friendship and companionship you receive from this little creature. The enjoyment you receive from their antics or the comfort you receive knowing that they are there by your side. Isn't that in itself a miracle?
The wonders of nature that God provides us are nothing short of miracles upon miracles. The tiny seed that blooms in Spring and Summer into a flower that only Gods hand could have created. The effort and love that we put into caring for that flower so that it might flourish. The sun rising and setting like clock work each and every day of our lives.
Let's not forget the waterfall that effortlessly flows from the top of a mountain to captivate us with it's power and majesty. Or the song of a bird in the tree of your own backyard. The catepillar that spins it's cacoon to emerge as a graceful butterfly that flutters among your flowers drinking their nector and repaying them by helping them to produce more beautiful flowers for you in coming years. Or the bee that, at times may anger you when he gives up his life to give you one heck of an annoying sting, yet if left alone will relish in your flowers nector, prolonging their lives and in return for that nector repays you with the sweet taste of his honey. Are these things not in their own right miracles?
It's important in our lives that we slow down at times and give our senses the opportunity to take in all the miracles that surround us. If everyone could do that, slow down, look around them, and look closely at even a flower and it's intricate petals, then they might see just how miraculous one single petal is. Grandma wasn't lying when she said "Take time to smell the roses."
Love in itself my friends, is a miracle. If you love then miracles abound in your life. If you are loved then there are so many miracles in your life that it would be impossible to say that you don't believe in miracles.
So the next time that you ask someone if they believe in miracles, remind them of what miracles are.
But more importantly remind them of the greatest miracle of them all.
And that miracle is Gods love for each and every one of us.
His unconditional, undying, ever present love that's there for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No matter what we do or what we say, he's always there for us, holding his arms out to us. In hope that we will come running to him, to be embraced in his never ending love forever.
We are that tiny seed that blooms like the flower with the nuturing and love of God!
And that my friends is truly the miracle of all miracles!