Miracles in the Middle, Mercies in the Midst

There is no question that difficult times arise in our lives. Experiences that take us by surprise, that change our plans, that devastate and confound us. Understandably, we fiercely wish for a miraculous removal of the trial or obstacle. But when removal is not immediate, when we don’t get what we desperately want, I have seen that there are still miracles surrounding us.

I believe in miracles in the middle times and mercies in the midst. When we are still burdened, when the end is not yet in sight, when the outcome seems hopeless, when things get worse before they get better.

I believe the Lord is preparing a way for us long before the trial begins.

I believe He puts people in place to provide help.

I believe He is with us in all times, maybe especially in the rough ones. We are known and remembered by Him.

I believe He strengthens us to be able to bear what we are required to bear.

I believe He has a plan for our deliverance, even when we cannot see it and even when it looks different from what we expect or desire.

Mostly, I believe in the power of a Savior to make all things turn to our good; to use every experience of mortality to teach, refine, and change us; to prepare us for future glory that is unimaginable.

I believe in His power to, in process of time, make us whole again.

These mercies and miracles look like sweet and precious time together to love and laugh before and during the trial.

A mercy that looks like the event coming just when multiple people were present to notice and respond to the situation.

Like a rearranged schedule weeks ahead of time, so someone with the knowledge and strength to perform CPR was present in an emergency.

And like the support of strangers counting a rhythm and reassuring of help on the way.

A miracle that looks like the power of God blessing a life to remain.

It looks like rushing into the emergency room to lock eyes with the attending doctor and realizing he is someone we know and trust-and recognizing in that look that we are known and remembered by God in this extremity.

It looks like a dinner group conversation months before with a doctor with valuable connections in a different location to facilitate a change of care to another state.

And like an outpouring of faith and prayers from around the world; a connection of love lifting us up and binding hearts together.

It looks like reassurance in the whispers of eternity; of life continuing beyond now and of relationships sealed in covenantal bonds; of peace and reliance.

It is in these moments that we see the intimate and encompassing hand of God. Which is a miracle and mercy that usually does not come in any other way.

Our call is to see and remember, to trust and to tell the story to witness to others of Him who is the creator of all mercies and the source of all miracles.