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At the age of 45, writer Regina Brett wrote a column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer listing 45 lessons that life had taught her thus far. As a breast cancer survivor, many of those lessons were learned the hard way. Five years later she added five more lessons rounding her list up to 50 and turned her popular list into a book called God Never Blinks. I found her list to be entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking. I thought I would go through each of her lessons learned and write about how that lesson has or has not come up in my own life, now that I am 40 and feel old enough to have finally learned something.
"Believe in miracles."
~ LESSON #33
Well - the first thing that I think of when I hear the word "miracle" is not something faith-based or from the world of health and healing. No. The first thing I think of is the 1980 United States Men's Olympic Hockey Team. If you are a fan of the Olympics, or of inspiring movies, you know the story. Underdog college kids beat the vaunted Russian pros on their way to play for the gold medal, which they win. Good versus evil. Cold War heroics. My "miracle" association to this event is thanks to game broadcaster Al Michaels' famous exclamation of "Do you believe in miracles?!" as the U.S.A. triumphed over the U.S.S.R. It became the name of the movie as well.
The term "Miracle" means many different things to many different people. It probably gets overused in less deserving situations - such as unbelievable sports victories. But however we each define the word, the underlying theme is that something truly remarkable has happened.
My boss is a walking miracle, having beat late stage prostate cancer out of the blue. My son is a miracle, because I feel blessed for his existence and purpose in our lives. The window for conception is so specific it blows my mind that any of us procreate. Jack's Tree is a miracle for surviving and thriving despite being subjected to our pathetic arborist skills.
I do believe in miracles. Like the fact that Santa survives to delight generation after generation; how else can you explain everyone across the world innately agreeing to keep it zipped? For many, this upcoming holiday season also tells the story of a great religious miracle. Santa or Jesus, their miracle is cause for celebration. And finding the perfect gift on sale without fighting through Black Friday crowds is a miracle for the ages.
Believe in miracles and question not why they happened or when you might see one again. Faith in the remarkable is simply a good way to live.
5 comments:
Hear hear! We just need the everyday miracles as much as the big ones.
I couldn't agree more. I try to keep my eyes open for the everyday miracles that I receive in my life so I don't miss them!
When Jason and I were trying to procreate I thought the same thing! Now we both have miracle boys and I don't think we're overusing it to describe them :)
Love the movie too.
Nice post, pally. :)
I'm not one for associating the word "miracle" for the world of sports because I don't believe that god has much to do with that--I think he's got bigger things to stick his finger in. But, that said, I do enjoy a team coming out of nowhere to pull off some fancy win.
There are miracles, large and small, happening every single day. Like you said--conception is just one of them. Funny how we take them for granted, isn't it? I try to find them and acknowledge them when I can.
Anyone who has ever had a struggle to conceive and ended up with a child - through IVF, adoption or blind luck (like us) - will never doubt miracles.
And I love your attitude of not worrying about why, just live knowing they exist.
Good thoughts.
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