I’ve been waiting for my miracle. For over two years. Ever since my husband lost his job. I even wrote my latest WIP about it. I knew it would come for Christmas. Then when it didn’t come then, I knew it would come by the end of the year, before 2010.
I’ve had my share of miracles in the past. A store bought for one dollar. A child conceived after two years of tears and trying. An inheritance enough to pay my daughter’s last year of Christian school. I figured when my next miracle came to save us it would be similar. A great paying job. A large check from a family member. A government reform to extend our health benefits. An offer to buy my book and enough of a payment to see us through a few more months. Something of such a magnitude that I’d know it was from God. That He’d come through for me again.
Surely it would happen soon.
But as Christmas came and went and no check arrived to cover our expenses. And when the rejection letters continued to come about applied for jobs and queries, I started to figure I was on my own. A miracle as I’ve had before wasn’t going to magically appear.
Then last night I stumbled upon my journal from 2001. The year we sold our home, left everyone we knew and packed up and moved to Florida. A scary time for sure. We were alone, low on funds and facing an uncertain future. But filled with countless blessings.
Nine years ago. But facing the same fears as today.
That’s when I understood about miracles. They don’t always come in neat packages or Christmas cards or phone calls. God has a way of giving them in measures we sometimes can’t always see.
Like blogger friends who offer to pray for my sick mother. Or husbands who still love me despite my stress about money. Or a daughter who listens to me even though I know I bore her to tears with my worries. Like friends who care enough to let me cry. Or neighbors who watch my home when we need to be away.
The list goes on . . . As do the miracles.
I’ve been saying that 2009 was one of the worst years of my life. I’m thinking otherwise now. It may well have been the year I learned best about how God takes care of those he loves.
Happy New Year!
39 comments:
Amen! What a blessing to read this post! 2009 has been a difficult year for us too, not financially, but in many other ways. But isn't it always in the difficult times we learn to draw a little closer to the Lord?
I've been waiting all year for a miracle too, but a specific one...and it's clear now that this miracle isn't coming. But that doesn't mean God isn't working, it just means he has a different plan for us.
It's been a pleasure getting to know you this past year, and I look forward to visiting more in the coming year, God willing.
Wishing you and yours a blessed and peaceful new year, and many more of God's miracles.
So glad to see you are still hanging in there my friend. God is faithful. It's difficult at times to trust God when you can't trace Him, but He's there. Always working behind the scene.
I remind my self of His promise that He will cause ALL things to work together for the GOOD of them that LOVE Him and are CALLED according to His purpose! Glory!
Bless you, Terri. You have been a fountain of optimism and strength through it all. Hugs...
Ah, sweet and graceful. Words to live by.
Beautifully put. His miracles come big and small and daily if we look for them. A new revelation of Him is one of the best! :O)
Amen! Me too.
Wonderful inspiration! Thanks!
You are inspiring, T. I know God has you in his capable hands. And what's even better is that you know it.
Take care.
Teresa
I believe in Miracles big and small from my own and other's experiences. I believe in serendipity and God's hand stirring the cauldron of my life. I believe that He is working even when there is nothing tangible for me to see. I believe that there are lessons to be learned in EVERYTHING. And I believe the story of the Footprints in the Sand...sometimes He just carries us.
Funny...reading this now. I just got back from an empty mailbox. Our only vehicle seems to have a transmission problem, which might be a few thousand to fix. I was hoping for a big check. Silly, I know. As you said, the miracles aren't always neat and wrapped up to surprise us.
The miracle in this case might be the grace to handle four kids and my husband's part-time job and school schedule, without a vehicle. I hope not, but I'll take what I can get.
God's greatest work is what he does in our hearts--definitely not in our pocketbooks.
Praying for you.
I so understand where you are coming from for sure. We did not get our miracle either. My husband is well taken care of with his medicare, but I must pay a very high premium for a few years until I qualify for medicare, or whatever is out there by then. I don't know how we are going to do this, only God knows. I am so tired of worry. I finally threw up my hands and gave it to the Lord.
You are so right that we get our miracles in measures that God sees fit. It's the waiting that causes such anxiety.
Hoping your mother is doing well. I have been praying for her and for your family.
Happy New Year! Let's hope that God has something special waiting for us both in 2010.
You just made me look back at 2009 whole different way.
More of God in 2010!
Oh the glories of 20/20 hindsight! I am excited to hear how the Lord delivers on His promise to work it all together for your good in the year to come. He will.
Blessings, and Happy New Year to you too!
Kathleen
Your post made me teary. It sounds like you really do have a wonderful life despite hard times. This was a great reminder to keep things in perspective.
I hope 2010 is a great year for you.
AMEN AMEN AND AMEN. It all matters in where we lay our eyes and allow our hearts to rest.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
PS: IN GOD WE TRUST!
What a beautiful post Terri. I can relate to this as I've been waiting for my miracle too.
God has been reminding me that the miracle is often that He makes was through the difficulty, not that He saves us from going through it. As I watched The Nativity Story (twice) this Christmas, it was a continual reminder of that Truth.
Rich blessings on you and yours for the new year!
I remember a song that my kids listened to when they were little - one of the lines says "But Jesus takes care of the things that He made." That always shakes some perspective into me...
Hang in there:) Hugs and New Year's Blessings to you and your readers!
Happy new year, Friend! I pray breakthrough for you soon. God sees you and knows exactly what you need. He will provide!!
Love you!
I love how God takes us gently by the hand and reminds us of His faithfulness. He never wastes our time and there is much that will be learned, gleaned, and poured out for you and for others.
Praying for His abundant blessings for you and your family in this coming New Year!
A sweet spirit concerning a difficult time to bear. You truly have learned about the character of God and how He works in our lives. God bless...Jan
I love your attitude. I have to say that your blog is so uplifting. I'm thankful I came across it and that I've gotten to know you over the last few months. God Bless you and your family and here's to 2010!
I'm glad you found your journal back then. We all need hope, and am glad to know that God has and always be with us as he has been with you and your family. Blessings for the New Year Terri. Hugs.
Very cool post! His ways are higher than our ways, and all things come together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Those two verses have been going through my head constantly lately as I've been waiting for healing. Surely He is faithful in the way He sees best, as we continue to trust Him no matter the outcome.
Excellent insight from you in this post. Happy New Year to you and yours!
All I can say is: AMEN!
love, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
God is in charge and knows each of us. Don't give up on the miracle-maybe it's just surviving day to day!
Hard years are the ones we tend to pull in so tight to Him that we can even smell His presence.
How sweet is that?
I guess miracles can be what we need, not what we want...
Hi Terri! You got a mention in my post today inspired by this post of yours. :)
Blessings!
this is beautiful Terri. Have a wonderful new year and great expectations in twenty ten. Nikki
What an encouraging reminder that miracles don't always happen the way we think or expect. Hope you have a blessed and joyful new year!
Terri, you're so right, what an important assessment. Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us.
Happy New Year! May 2010 be filled with blessings and happiness and love.
Terri - so good to have you back. I have missed you. I continue my prayers for you and your mother. I am so glad you felt you got your miracle. Wow, you have had some great ones! I have noticed that God is faithful in the smallest of ways, too. Happy New Year!
Hello Terri....I could identify 100% with your post today. There were so many times when I yearned for a miracle and it didn't come in my time. But eventually it did come....in HIS timing and HIS timing is always perfect. I wanted to thank you with all my heart for following my blog. That made me so happy! So hang in there, Terri. The miracle is on its way! Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Very touching post, Terri. I will keep you in my prayers. Success is just around the corner. Keep strong in your faith. :)
Oh Terri, I understand. 2009 was rough for our family as well. But you're so right. God takes care of those He loves; not always in the way we think He will, but in His way.
Praying your mom is doing well.
Happy New Year to you, Terri! May God's abundant blessings chase you down in 2010.
Terri I am so glad to see you stop by and post.I pray for improved health for your mother and strength for you as you stand by her side.
May you make it your life's mission to draw close to God knowing that He stays true to His word. If you abide in Him and His word abide in you, ask WHATEVER you will and it shall be done unto you.
Blessings for 2010 and beyond.
Vickie
While reading this, I was reminded of something I wrote in my recent WIP about "faith." Forgive me if it's a repeat to you, but it seems fitting with what you've said here...
"When wombs remain empty, faith lingers at the edge of dismissal. No wonder so many of us are stagnated in our spiritual progress. We equate faith with fullness, when in truth faith most readily grows and is active in our barrenness. When we can’t grasp this, then faith no longer serves as our guiding light but rather burdens us with its requirement."
I think this is where you've been... at a place of barrenness, yet with a fullness that exceeds the emptiness. I think, perhaps, this is where faith grows most abundantly. I there right now.
Love you.
peace~elaine
Wow, what a moving post. My mother's Bible study encouraged us to keep a journal, too, so we could really look back and see how prayers had been answered and God has worked in our lives. God is faithful.
Will continue to keep you and your mom in my prayers.
Maybe you did receive a miracle - understanding. Great post, one written with passion and vulnerability. God bless your family.
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