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“But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before Him.
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.”
Job 5:8-9 (NIV)

Definition of a miracle

mir·a·cle – n. (dictionary.com)

1. Such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.

On that hot, July morning in 2016, did I pray for a miracle? In the middle of Code Blue’s sounding again and again, surely I prayed for a miracle for my husband. I just can’t remember.

Did you pray for your own miracle in the season before your husband passed away, or did you even have time to whisper a prayer?

The miracle of the Shunammite’s Son

I love the story in II Kings, Chapter 4 of Elisha and one of his visits to the city of Shunem. This holy man of God had caught the attention of a woman who lived there with her husband.

She extended kindness to Elisha and his servant Gehazi, inviting them to stay for a meal. She even prepared a place on the roof where they could stop and rest whenever they passed through the city.

Touched by her kindness, Elisha sent Gehazi to ask how they might repay her. After much thought and realizing she had no son, Elisha told her, “About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.”

When you doubt a miracle can be yours…

“Please holy man of God, don’t mislead your servant.” (Don’t get my hopes up, Elisha.)

But just as Elisha had said, a son was born. And that miracle child grew. One day, the boy went to find his father who was working with reapers. Grabbing his head, he cried out in pain. His father told a servant to carry the child to his mother where the Bible tells us the young boy died.

The Shunammite woman had a history with Elisha, the holy man of God.

This mother, recipient of a miracle from God, now laid her lifeless son on the bed she had made for Elisha. In desperation, she went to find the prophet.

The story goes on to tell how Elisha sent the servant ahead with specific instructions on how to heal the child, but the boy did not awake. As Elisha entered the room and prayed to the LORD, he stretched out his body on the boy, mouth-to-mouth, eyes-to- eyes and hands-to-hands. As Elisha stretched himself out on the young child, his body grew warm.

When his mother was summoned, Elisha told her, “Take your son.” She fell at Elisha’s feet with thanksgiving then took her son and left.

“He is the one you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”
Deuteronomy 10:21 (NIV)

God will move into our ‘space’ in a very personal way.

Oh how intimate the Lord’s instructions were to Elisha.

Would you say love is part of a miracle?

Let’s imagine our husband’s list of miracles written on a page that lies next to ours. Right there at the top would be the minute he saw Jesus. He might describe his first heartbeat in Heaven. Warmth like sunlight only to be the light of Jesus surrounding him. In the midst of angels singing, there are voices he recognizes as the Lord points the way to those who have gone before and have been waiting on him. Pure joy and delight those first moments in Heaven.

His list, his miracle, looks very different from ours doesn’t it…

A group of four-year-old’s were asked the question, “What does love look like?”

The most moving answer was a child whose elderly neighbor had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went to the man and climbed onto his lap. When his mother asked what he said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

I never thought about a miracle looking like that. Our list of miracles include God’s faithfulness in this season. He will send those who will simply sit and help us cry.

One day, our list will look much the same as our husband’s. On that day, they will take our hands and say, “Come with me. I want to show you a little bit of Heaven.”

Dear Heavenly Father, Waymaker, Miracle-Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness…we thank You for who You are.