Miracles of Life-Creating a Grateful Heart

“Have you ever witnessed a miracle?” That was a recent question posed by Hubber Brett Winn. I’m not sure if he was referring to miracles from a religious standpoint, or if he was merely curious as to what other people consider miracles in their own lives. Certainly, the responses indicating that for those who have beat death or beat the odds of surviving at some level there is an element of the mysterious, a component to what constitutes a miracle. There were also a few very firm skeptics who found it necessary to correct the responders as to what defined a miracle.

The song, ‘What a wonderful world’, sung so beautifully by the renowned Louis Armstrong, comes to my mind when I think of this word: miracle . It is song that reflects the ordinary things that most people do not recognize as a blessing or take a moment to pause and appreciate. So, let me share with you what my thoughts of what a miracle is and some examples in my own life.

I assure you, it will not fall into any category that is defined by the strict religious code of ‘miracle’. But, I’m confident that us ordinary folk will recognize and nod in agreement. Sometimes, the ‘authorities’ can’t convince the masses that they aren’t supposed to have their own ideas of what constitutes a miraculous event.

One hubber delighted in scoffing at the examples that other hubbers offered in Brett’s question, “Have you ever witnessed a miracle?” because the answers were not ‘extraordinary’ events that defied any possible way they could have occurred. But, to me, a miracle is a personal experience.

In my opinion, miracles are events that are filled with wonder and awe. For instance, it is a miracle when something happens that defies the mind’s ability to grasp that the conditions were so perfect to have this (event) occur.

One man related that his son had walked away from a horrific car accident. When he witnessed that the car was smashed beyond repair, the level of destruction of the vehicle, and the relatively insignificant injuries his son sustained, that was incomprehensible; to this father-that was miraculous.

Wonder…awe…incomprehensibility equals ‘miracle’.

Another writer related that for years he was subjected to an addiction with drugs and alcohol which consumed his will and overtook his personality-the part of him which was unable to take right action for himself. Note: he was unable to do what he knew was healthy for himself in order to avoid the self-destructive patterns that were destroying him. Enter into his life: recovery and sobriety. That for him was a miracle, and I would applaud him that recognition and agree with him.

When one is on a self destructive path and cannot stop it, no matter how noble they make the attempt, and then a shift occurs in which they become capable to make the necessary changes, there is a component that is not earthly, not intellectual and not of our own accordance. How this happens is a mystery, but that it happens is grace.

The unknown factor of mystery and the spiritual component of grace equals ‘miracle’.

Any woman or man whose intent is to have a baby only to discover an inability to do so due to fertility issues knows the heartache of having this dream tossed to the wayside. A miracle is the occurrence of something unexpected, (i.e. the pregnancy), when one has tried and given up; when one has accepted the physical conditions appearing to be reality; when one knows that no amount of medical information or new experimental drugs will be met with positive results. And yet, it happens.

A miracle is what appears impossible to occur showing up in one’s life when all else has failed, when all hope is gone.

From a personal standpoint, my daughter Cara has been the recipient of that miracle and named her ‘Grace’ . It was a most appropriate honor to the mysterious powers of God and we cannot fail to appreciate that fact each time we hear her name or see her smiling face. Shortly after Grace was born, (actually nine months later), Cara, and her husband Alexandru, found themselves pregnant again. This time without any medical intervention. Baby Alex joined our family on 4th of July, 2008. You can read Cara's pregnancy story here: #mce_temp_url#

My other miracles:

Experiencing the births of my two daughters

Witnessing the births of my grandchildren

Feeling peace and contentment in an unsettled world

The beauty of the earth

The mystery of the Universe

All of God’s creatures

My working body

I leave you with these thoughts: Every day is a miracle and each one of us is that miracle. We are the extraordinary, awesome, mysterious wonders that participate in the reality of our world. It is a blessing to walk this earth with eyes and ears open to all that has been created for us to experience, and acknowledge these gifts with gratitude.

When I was in high school I was deeply moved by Max Ehrmann’s poem: Desiderata. It is a beautiful reminder to humble ourselves and appreciate the miracle of who we are. As he has written: For all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.