By Stephanie Nelson
Miracles are often wrapped in packages labeled “tragedy,” and miracles aren't always the shape and size we think they should be. Sometimes the miracle we receive from the Lord looks completely different – dare I say, opposite – from the one we are praying for.
My husband and I lost our baby girl to Congenital Heart Disease four years ago. We decided to step out on the water and beg the Lord for a miraculous healing. At that time I would have shunned the idea that the opposite of what I was praying for was the miracle.
But there are many things about Christianity that are opposite of natural reasoning:
Wounds that bring healing.
Losing everything in order to gain something.
Death that brings life.
Being last in order to be first.
This same natural reasoning presses us to seek the safe and comfortable on a day to day basis. When the trials of life blindside us, we often get so lost in the fury of the situation that we never stop to consider the beauty of God’s opposites.
The blood He shed on the cross heals my sin-sick heart.
He lost His life so that I could gain eternity.
His gory death brings me new life in every situation.
The last thing He thought of was his own comfort; He first thought of the redemption of my soul.
This God of Heaven and Earth came to seek and save the lost..
It is a miracle.
Before I lost Evelyn, I was scared to die because I imagined Heaven to be one big fluffy cloud that I would sit on while playing a harp (in a diaper, no less!) I mean, come on, that might be better than the fiery pit of hell, but not much better!
I learned that eternity isn’t for chubby cherubs and cotton-candy clouds, it is for people! I had to lose Evelyn in order to gain a longing
for eternity. I realize that isn’t very
spiritual of me, after all I should
long for eternity just to be with Christ (which I do!) But it is very
motivating to know that I have a daughter there that I will be reunited with
some day!
I also learned that I
have absolutely nothing to fear. Seriously, when you are catapulted into your
very worst fear and you are clinging to Jesus, depending on Him for comfort and
the ability to think biblically, you see that everything Fear told you is a
lie. There is no despair. Great pain?
Yes. But not hopelessness. All
things really are possible.
Now I experience the
beauty of salvation every day, wherever I can find it.
The package may have
been hideous, but now that I have unwrapped my miracle, I have no regrets.
Stephanie is the wife of Chris and a stay-at-home mom to Clara and
Jonathan. (And Evelyn.) She blogs about politics, current events,
American culture and worldview topics on The Civic Arena. You can read more at
www.thecivicarena.org. She is also
releasing her first book, a memoir about her journey with Evelyn Hope. See
You in a Breath will be available Saturday, February 23 as an e-book
on both Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook for $2.99.
Our thanks goes out to Stephanie for sharing her story with us. Our prayer that her story will bring hope and healing to many who have gone through this, to bring strength to those who are entering this season of life. ~Missie
O my Strength to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing
love. Psalm 59:17
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