Ordinary Miracles

What constitutes a miracle anyway?  I’m always looking for a big event like parting the Red Sea, burning bushes — that sort of thing. But it could be I’m missing quite a few miracles by failing to notice them or, even worse, failing to categorize them a such. 

I think this a good topic for the new year. After I blogged that I was having a tough time getting this year cranked up, I heard from many that they were feeling the same. Rather than trying to manufacture energy to get going, I’m trying to harness the good energy that already surrounds me. I definitely need to plug into something bigger than me.  I need miracles more than ever right now. This week, this year…

So here it is. My own course in ordinary miracles (stolen from the title of yet another book I haven’t read). 

Last week my sister won a hugely prestigious award for outstanding teachers that came with a big check. Although well-deserved, it is a miracle that a first grade teacher just doing her job in Madison, Mississippi is recognized in that way. It’s a miracle that it came at a time when she needed a boost. It’s even more of a miracle that a billionaire decided to use some small portion of his fortune to help keep good teachers in the profession. I love it when billionaires put their money to work making our world better. For the record, that’s the kind of billionaire I’d be. And the final miracle of this series is that my sister is going to use a little of that money to bring her family to visit me. Our relationship has come a long way from the vicious fights over ownership of earrings left by strangers at my parents lake house. She’s one of my go-to people and I’m one of hers. Miracle. 

This weekend I continued my season of birthday celebrations with a vision board party.  Twelve of my dearest friends came together to share laughter, hope and inspiration for the year. My tank is full. Yet another miracle. And that’s even before I get to the cupcakes, which were scrumptious and decorated with flags extolling my alleged attributes like strong, funny, kind, and charming. 

Miracles abound. Start counting yours today.