Miracle Makers

Update: The three year anniversary of our adoption sucked as anticipated, but sucked a whole lot less because of your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you.

The day started like:

Let me explain.  On that already tender morning, I couldn’t find my favorite Africa necklace.  This was clearly a sign that the rest of our adoption process was doomed.  I mean, duh.  After several frantic texts, scrambling searches, and mumbled entreaties, the lost was found.  However, I took *a little* while to bounce back emotionally.  Lots of deep sighs and sweet treats were needed.

After necklace-gate 2016, the rest of the day was bearable.  Made even more so after David came home early from work and then we gathered with our bible study friends.  Hugs, wine, and prayers were exchanged.  (Not necessarily in that order.)  Following bible study, we ended up in the Dairy Queen drive through because reasons.  Bad days finish with ice cream; this is our family creed.  (We’re really spiritual.)  Some friends followed us into the drive through, so we paid for their order too.  (I told you, we’re spiritual.)  Afterwards, I got a text from one of them.  It said something like this, “Thank you for ‘paying it backwards’ tonight!  You really started something in the DQ line.  We paid for the people behind us!  How special that you chose to bless others on a difficult day.”

Friends, we ALL have so much going on.  Our singular mountains to climb.  There aren’t many who can claim lives absent of struggle or heartache or pain.  It’s hard.  At the very beginning of our adoption process, I said this endeavor would be “a miracle by participation.”  Often I think our friends and family do most of the heavy lifting for us in this respect.  They pray and believe on the days it is too difficult for us to do so.  But miracles come in different sizes.  Sometimes they can look a lot like simply getting out of bed.  Or making a phone call.  Or paying off someone’s DQ tab.  These small things can be big; don’t talk yourself out of action.  Because YOU can be a miracle maker:

My dear sister, once sidelined by a diagnosis for her twins, now eagerly renovating a home to contain future apartments where they can safely live as adults (if necessary).  Miracle.

7 years ago, my Meghan’s precious boy Gabriel Dean died after 2 hours of life.  Even today their family honors him as a cherished member, acknowledging him as brother and son.  Their love and vulnerability has given other hurting parents hope.  Miracle.

After receiving an MS prognosis, a sweet friend decided that in addition to parenting her biological children, she’d become a foster mom as well.  Miracle.

My book-loving bestie, widowed mama of two young boys, using her grief as a platform to share God’s truth about loss with her church family.  Miracle.

A fellow bible study mom suddenly lost her father just days before our adoption anniversary.  But she checked in on ME multiple times throughout our milestone day, intentionally loving when she’d be justified to wallow.  Miracle.

My amazing uncle has lived with ALS for several years now.  Instead of throwing in the towel, he chooses to remain as active and healthy as possible.  He chooses to give God glory in the midst of pain.  Miracle.

And this is just a SHORT list of some of my heroes.  I’m humbled by their faith; I’m emboldened by their actions.  They are my Hebrews 11.  Be THAT to someone.  Be evidence of God’s grace.  Pick blessing when bitterness would suffice.  Participate in the miracle.  Chances are you won’t be the only one changed for the better.