A Loved Miracle

     You've heard the phrase before, but I'll say it again: "She's a walking miracle!" 
    It's incredible what some of these "miracles" have been through. Illnesses that took them close enough to eternity to reach out a hand and touch the gates, vehicle accidents that left everything and everyone in the vicinity demolished, abusive situations where most would be left unable to function in society, yet here she is, holding down a nine to five, making friends, reaching out to others, standing on her own two feet. 
    I look on at these walking miracles in awe. Surely they awaken every morning with a prayer of thanksgiving on their lips. I am suspicious they experience life in a different way than I do. The lens through which they view eternity and relationships must be so much clearer than my own. 
    Here's the truth: each one of us is a miracle. A living, breathing, loved miracle.
    With a hand of artistry we were crafted before we ever knew of earth, of Heaven, of love. With painstaking precision, the great Creator planned every line of your face, each kinky hair that refuses to be flattened, the way one foot turns out when you walk. He chose carefully the talents you would have, the family traits you would carry, the weaknesses you would need to learn to lean on Him. And He said it was good. 
    The Creator does not compare His creation. He did not make them to compare. He has made each an individual piece of art. In His eyes, there are only differences, not "perfect" and "ugly." There is variety, not "smart" and "incompetent." To His heart, there is only loved, not "lovable" and "unworthy."
    And He has made each a miracle.
    The human body is a miracle of engineering: the beating of the heart, the filling of the lungs, the thousands of pores that open and close, the eyes that know how to shut when they feel endangered. But that is not the biggest miracle.
    The greater miracle is the way one can become a completely new person by accepting the Savior's love and sacrifice. The greater miracle is how a heart that has tasted of forgiveness can learn to forgive. The greater miracle is how  a heart that has accepted it is loved can learn to share love with others.
    You are a miracle. A perfect creation. A chosen life. 
    Don't question the miracle. Some have turned it away, refusing to believe that it is true. Others have scoffed and ridiculed the idea. Many have believed it is true for others, but wistfully admit they don't imagine themselves to be among the number.
    Accept the love. Have faith in the Creator. Believe you are a miracle. Trust yourself to His arms. It doesn't matter what you are facing, He will be there. He is not a God of half miracles. He is a God of completion, of miracles that grow, of hearts that fill with light.
    It doesn't take a near death experience to see things in life to be thankful for. There are more miracles than the closing of a lion's mouth or water being turned into wine. You are one of them. May we ever praise our gracious Creator for He has "...covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works." (Psalm 139:13-14)

    

Nosy

     "This is probably just me being nosy...," the message began. 

    Yes, it is! I thought indignantly. If you know it's being nosy, than why are you asking? I was surprised at the strength of my reaction. The message wasn't even to me. I was only an eavesdropper on someone else playing their messages aloud.
    Then another thought slid softly into my mind. "You don't know everything. Maybe after she sent that message, she regretted it. Maybe she thought of deleting it, but it was already too late. Maybe later God will show her it wasn't necessary. Haven't you done things like that before?"
    My heart surely blushed in shame, for I knew all too well the truth. The number of times I have regretted my actions or my words, the times that God has patiently worked with me in one area or another while I slipped and stumbled and struggled up the path. Yet here I was, expecting perfection from someone else. Believing another person, who is just as human as I, ought to get it right the very first time. 
    There are sins that must be called sin. I understand that. But there are also many places where the Bible lauds patience, longsuffering, and forbearance. God has so much patience for my faults. Isn't it only reasonable that I should extend that love and consideration to others?
    We seem to have a rather uncomfortable talent for noticing the faults of others, but we often miss our chance to give others the room they need to grow. When we see someone stumbling on the road as they work with themselves, let's not make the road so narrow it becomes impossible for them to walk. God's road has many notices posted that you and I sometimes fail to observe. Let us not judge harshly someone else that has done the same! Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (Romans 2:1)
    There may be a time we are required to help someone else see a sign she has missed. In humility we will find our way much more open to share if we admit that we, too, have not always read signs in the past. A failure to recognize our own imperfections will lead us very near a ditch of self righteousness. We may find our ability to love as we should becomes stymied. Without realizing it, our salvation may become more imperiled than that of the person of whom we are feeling disapproval. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? (Romans 2:3)
    As we continue our journey withholding judgement, we may find ourselves surprised at some of the gifts and talents of those we have been tempted to accuse. Instead of taking note of their failures, we will find ourselves in a place of joy and peace as we recognize the victories they have gained. Instead of thinking it our duty to point out each area where they have failed, we can encourage their gifts to grow. Their successes will become an encouragement to our own hearts.

    May we walk carefully together, supporting one another over the stony path, and  appreciate the fact that although we are all tempted, we are in the fight for eternity together.

This Generation

    Tragedy struck the ice skating world, when, on February 15, 1961, eighteen members of the United States figure skating team along with family members, friends, and coaches, were killed in an airplane crash over Belgium. The flight had been heading to Czechoslovakia with the intent to take part in that years World Figure Skating Championship. In all, seventy two people lost their lives.  

    As officials worked to find the cause (it was eventually linked to a possible failure in the instrument that adjusted the tail stabilizer), the decision was made to completely cancel the 1961 Championships in an effort to show solidarity in the grief. 

    President Kennedy made a public statement offering condolences, and a memorial fund, still in operation today, was set up to provide funds to assist with training and tuition for future skaters.

    The impacts of the accident reached far beyond the participation of the United States in the 1961 competition. Indeed, the U.S. found itself somewhat crippled in respect to figure skating for the next number of years. An entire generation of skaters had been wiped out. Some of the top coaches had been killed and were no longer available to train new skaters. 

    In desperation, some very young skaters were pushed to compete at higher levels than normal. A few retired skaters returned to competition. Coaches from other countries were invited to America to assist in training and rebuilding a team from scratch.

    What an impact losing even one generation can have! It doesn't matter if you are part of an older generation or a younger one, youth, young parent, middle aged, or elder, there is still a part for you to play in God's Church. Satan likes to fiddle with the little things, a bolt here, a latch there, maybe the mechanics of some part we are so used to working that we forget to check on it. You know the parts: humility, child training, living by faith, generosity, hospitality, keeping the Sabbath, and all the rest. 

    It is up to each generation to do its part to keep our plane flying. Times change, it is true, but the Church needs the enthusiasm and energy of youth and the wisdom of the elders. Bible-based convictions will not be out of style with those seeking to grow in their Christian lives in spite of the internet providing appealing ideas readily at our fingertips. 

    As we stay faithful and humble, willing to listen and understand one another, the love of God will only bring us closer to each other and to Him. While He has promised that His Church will last until the end, I want to have a greater vision of the beauty that is possible if all generations pray together, trust each other, and build together. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalms 145:3-4)

   Someday we will stand together at the gates of Heaven, tired and battle-worn, it is true, but thankful for the help of each generation, the passing down of wisdom, and the wonderful plan God has provided for persons of any age to fill a place in His earthly Kingdom.