"A miracle is when God bends the law for you.”
I have a habit of jotting down inspirational quotes. It’s just one of the quirky things I enjoy doing. Normally I catch the name of who wrote or said these impactful phrases. Unfortunately, I cannot identify the particular author of the quote above, but when searching for a topic for today’s blog, these words strongly resonated.
Miracles… the word inspires hope, allows us to dream, permits us to ask, “What if?”
It’s that time of year when many of us search for miracles. We want world peace, a cure for cancer, food and shelter for the homeless, and an end to all suffering. But, our quest for miracles also reaches past the “big issues.” We long for personal miracles, those which will benefit us and our family.
The theme of “the miracle” this time of year no doubt rests on the birth of the Christ child as well as the eight days of light. It’s what brings families and friends together and becomes the basis for our celebrations. And it seems to be an underlying theme in many of our favorite Holiday movies… It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34thStreet, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Miracles are embedded in each of these classics. George reevaluates his downward spiraling life, Susan Walker receives her wish for her own family, and Rudolph saves Christmas by lighting Santa’s way. Last night we watched The Grinch That Stole Christmas, and even this gnarly green monster received a miracle of Christmas. His heart grew – three sizes!
Miracles, whether big or small, are out there but always seem just past our reach, looming with possibility but not probability. We all want that “law bent” for us, but will it happen? Can it occur?
Just like a double rainbow, miracles arrive when you least expect them. It’s not like you can put your order in and expect a delivery of a particular miracle on a specific date. It doesn’t work like Amazon Prime. It’s quite the opposite, actually. I believe that the beauty of the miracle lies in the unexpected. It’s when we can’t fathom an outcome, yet something beautiful happens anyway. Sometimes it’s what we hoped for, but others, well, it’s even better.
And, miracles aren’t always accompanied with fireworks or neon lights. They can appear quite subtle. Perhaps it’s just a realization, and understanding, or an “aha” moment that helps you get through your troubles. Or maybe your particular miracle is being able to sleep through the night after countless evenings spent tossing and turning, staring at the dark ceiling. It might even be that your teenager doesn’t argue about curfew and actually comes home ten minutes early. No, these special events do not need to be monumental to be labeled as true miracles. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes.
I find myself hoping for a variety of miracles this holiday season. Some, I know are truly unreasonable and won’t happen. But with others, I hold a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, God will bend the rules just this once for me this Christmas time.
Whatever miracle you wish for, it is my sincerest wish that it, or something even more glorious, comes true for you this Holiday season.
Peace…
