When All is Said and Done – It's Still a Miracle!

On Sunday, my son called to check in on me. “What are you doing today, Mom?” “I’m going to church with Larry and Staci and then we’re going for my birthday lunch at Hutchins BBQ (my pick)! They’ll be out of town this week on my birthday.”

Then his audacious reply: “Mom, how is it going to feel to be 79?” “Ha! Ha! You know it’s 72 and here’s what I know. My President is two years older than me at 74. If he can run a country – I think I can run my little corner of the world. I’m amazed that President Trump could be in his retirement years and live in a peaceful place of ‘having arrived’ and be able to sit back and enjoy the fruit of his labors – but, NO! He preferred to give his all for our country to get on track again. He chose to not receive his salary – to just give it away. He chose to make tough decisions even though he has to put up with so much hate and lies about him. He chose to be a patriot – so in love with our Country, that he’s willing to lay down his life for us!” Tangent ended with my son barely getting a word in edgewise. Pardon me if I let you in on a personal vent. It’s the day after my birthday and I’m still in the celebration mode! And, as my young-whipper-snapper-self, I’m not ready to quit either. Not saying I want the responsibilities of a store clerk – never mind being president. But he sure inspires me to keep swinging.

Thank you for all the birthday love yesterday from my beloved social media friends and family. My, oh my! If you want to feel the love, be sure to be a friend on FB! My children were all out-of-town for my big day, but they showered me with love from afar and so did my FB friends! Isn't it a miracle that in a matter of seconds, we are transmitting birthday messages to each other -- unlike the old days of snail mail?

I’m grateful for my sweet cousin who took me for a yummy “crab legs” lunch and then to the “Painted Tree”, a new marketplace to Frisco, full of mini-shops of local shop owners, boutiques, decorators, artisans and craftsmen all under one roof. So much fun. Remember my tale yesterday about the “Miracles” book I received, with musings about my life being one of miracles? What captured my attention in Painted Tree was this metal sign that says “there will be miracles”! Of course it was my own birthday gift to me – as a reminder that there are miracles coming our way every day – we just need to expect them and recognize them when they come!

Here’s how I’ll recognize miracles! I will breathe in God’s goodness – that’s a miracle. I can breathe. I will see the sun rise and the sun set. That’s a miracle – I can see God’s creation. Yes, there will be miracles and most of all, the greatest miracle of all is when someone has lost their way, and by God’s amazing grace, their soul is set free. Miraculous the change in one who is redeemed through Calvary. There will be miracles when we see a lily push its way through the stubborn sod. But, most of all there will be miracles because we believe in God. There can be miracles when you believe. And, just in case you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten -- you are one!

Back to God’s Creation & Baseball

So I’m back to living out loud with my family, but that sure doesn’t hinder me from keeping my eyes wide open for God moments. I took Brennan to his baseball practice at 6:30 pm. This photo of the western skies doesn’t do it justice. They were the reddest red, exploding with “the beauty and majesty of the skies that our God created”. Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

The next thing that captured my attention were these signs all around the baseball field. I love the optimism that was picked up on by these pro baseball players. To me, it was another “sign” of God’s presence. No parent, coach, baseball player or onlookers were thinking about the troubles of the world. They were basking in the joys of those kids working so hard to be their best. I’d say those are also God moments – experiencing the blessings of a great American sport, seeing our kids being taught sportsmanship, as well as skill in the game.

Though it was 85 degrees in the daytime, it dropped to the 60s while watching practice so I made my way back to the Home Run Room – that’s where it was cozy warm inside, as well as wifi, a kids’ area where younger siblings of the players can hang out, as well as restrooms. That may seem like TMI (too much information), but, once again, in my style of noticing…..I saw this prayer on the wall as well as the night light that said BELIEVE on it. You may think I’m over-the-top with my noticing God all around me, but isn’t that what Paul meant when he penned 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“ My take on that scripture is this. Praying is expecting, hoping, believing, and looking for God in the everyday of life. What impressed me about all these little scenes and nudges from heaven on this normal, run-of-the-mill day -- taking a grandson to baseball practice -- was that it wasn’t in a church or another religious institution. It was at a baseball field where life is happening.

I came out from my solitude with God to simply hanging out with God -- on purpose. Either place, He’s there. In fact, He’s everywhere – in that sunset, in the trees and skies and cooler temperatures. He’s in all those boys and their parents. Maybe you haven’t taken the time to notice Him. Maybe we complicate finding God too much. Since He created all of this, just maybe He's in all of this. I encourage you to stop, look and listen….I’m quite sure you’ll find Him in the everyday of your life, too!