My pastor began preaching a sermon series on Miracles today, and as usual his words have had a profound impact on my thinking.
Webster’s dictionary defines the word miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs”.
An EXTRAORDINARY event.
A DIVINE intervention in human affairs.
Personally, every day of my life has what I consider to be “extraordinary” events. Yes, I know that extraordinary means unusual or out of the ordinary. But is there really anything just plain ordinary? If I’m thinking on the level of “divine intervention in human affairs”, certainly not. Divinity is anything BUT ordinary.
In a 24 hour period, the world spins on its axis and we have day and night.
Extraordinary.
The sun rises and the sun sets.
Extraordinary.
Each morning, we wake up. We take in breath. Life.
Although some of us do not experience all of our senses, we each are still blessed with at least some, if not all.
Seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling, tasting.
Experiencing God’s world.
His presence.
Extraordinary.
So many miracles. Every day. And I fear we have become numb to them.
We take them for granted like spoiled children.
Or if we don’t receive them when and how we think we should, we stomp and pout and point our fingers in accusation…toward others…toward God.
In rebellion we close our eyes, shake our heads, turn our backs. And then…
Miracles pass us right on by.
The very breath I breathe in and out is a miracle.
My heart that beats in the center of my chest – in the center of my very soul – THAT is a miracle.
The fact that food is put on the table every night, that I am blessed with shelter, clothing, and the One Great God who loves me…totally all miracles.
Family, friends, kind strangers (even the not-so-kind ones can be blessings if you look a little deeper) – miracles.
Why do I call all of these seemingly ordinary things miracles? Because I believe that every single one of them is presented to me through divine intervention.
Every.
Single.
One.
I may not always treat these gifts as the miracles they are. As a matter of fact, I am guilty of taking for granted many of these at any given time. And ashamedly, there are times when I’ve just tossed some of them aside like garbage.
Funny thing is, though…God is in the business of picking up what we throw out as garbage and turning it back around into something gorgeous.
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3
What miracles have you missed because of your stubborn ways?
What miracles are staring you in the face and you aren’t even recognizing them?
Don't let them pass you by.
4 comments:
Very cool post! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Nicole, so glad to see your pretty face here again! I appreciate your continued support. How's the tea drinking coming along? ;-)
What a beautiful post. Truly life is filled with miracles. Thank you for the reminder.
I believe in the power of 'miracles' so very much, and actually put on of those quotation transfers on my master bathroom wall that says, "Everyday has the possibility of a Miracle" to remind myself, each morning, of that. Loved this post, dear friend. This is a good one!
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