Opus 2023-115: A Matter of Seeing

I hear people talking about how miracles don’t happen any more.  Actually it is not a new mantra.  I have a book a friend sent me written in the 19th century that made a major point of the lack of miracles.  I think it is more a matter of poor vision than nothing to see.

I have not seen any oceans parting or lepers being instantly healed.  If I could figure out how to feed five thousand people with a few small fish and tiny rolls I could get rich.  I have not seen those kinds of miracles, I admit.  But what is a miracle, really?  Something that takes place against all odds.  Something that defies expectations.  With that in mind I began noticing some of the miracles in my life.

My children came to mind first.  They are living miracles.  They are well balanced, productive and have high ethical standards.  They are following Jesus and in many ways are more conservative than I am.  How did that happen?  It certainly wasn’t because I was the perfect father or even an above average husband.  Yet it is real.  I don’t think I have ever been ashamed of either of them.  My biggest disappointment in my daughter was when I realized she was more concerned about the happiness of the dog than her father’s mental balance.

My health is a miracle.  If justice prevailed I would be toothless and crippled with diabetes.  Every time I get in a discussion I hear the woes of those around me.  When I go out each morning to walk I just thank God for another day of mobility and a lack of pain.  It is a miracle.  

My financial condition is also impossible.  While it is true that at one time I had three jobs going, we have done what everyone says is impossible:  My wife has not had any kind of regular job since the children were born.  We have survived on one wage earner.  If the government doesn’t get too greedy and we don’t do anything stupid we should be able to get to the nursing home without any overdue bills.  I keep hearing it can’t be done.  We did it.

Then there is the matter of my salvation, but for those of you who have read your Bible that is a promise, not a special case.  

Would I trade my miracles for your miracles?  I don’t think so.  It is a blessing that it can’t be done or you might want to give me your first born.  

How about trading my miracles to see the show-stopping miracles of the OT?  Not really.  I don’t need to knock any walls down.  I think I will just be content to be grateful for all of the miracles that I have taken for granted.

homo unius libri