It would be too simple to say or think that all I do as a parent to nurture my children through the wilderness of sibling relations is head for the woods. Yet it is a very powerful, meaning filled way I can put feet on my prayers. And it’s not just for the kids, it’s for me too. Maybe me most of all? It’s at that mind numbing point (I spoke of yesterday) that I need miracle too. I need life to give life.
The picture of the woman in labor right after birth has been coming to mind again lately. To me the question: “What does the ultimate Parent do?”, gets an answer within that image of the laboring woman. What does He give in the midst of the pain, at the climax of the pain?
The answer: This incredible creature that we can’t stop marveling at. To hold in our hands; wonder and miracle. In. Our. Hands.
This is the gift given to the mother after she labors, after she tears, after she has become as open and vulnerable to the world as she may ever be. Miracle to hold, to watch, to nurture, to be nurtured by. I believe this is available to us every day, in so many ways. We can give it. We can receive it. This is just one practical way of “(His) power made perfect in weakness…” God is the most “down to earth” personality I have ever met.
It’s no longer the incessant cry that alerts me to get outdoors, it’s the hard days. It’s when I notice the soft ground of their hearts begin to harden (allowing for cracks and seeds of bitterness to fall within those cracks) that points the way. I need a miracle, so I go to where I am surrounded by it; outdoors. Out of the walls and stale air. Out to where the holy breath blows. (Yeah, I really do believe that.) I’m thankful for it. I’ve seen and known His healing there.
“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
― Mother Teresa
I’m honored that you read this far in my series, thank you! I’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you put feet on your prayers to discover Wonder in your life?
Raynna
1 Comment
Rebekah
I use to see the wind with my eyes, and hear Him calling me through that “wonder”, as you put it. I remember the first time that I remember really speaking to God. I was sitting at the top of the staircase, looking outside the window, watching the wind blow the tree leaves…I wrote a poem to God that day. I wish I remembered all of what I wrote…i only remember saying “i love you, even though I don’t know who You are”…then a little later, I gave the poem to a girl — even though I did not write it about or for her. Stupid idolatry! That’s the only time that I can remember telling God that I love Him, until recently. I have heard my husband pray those words and it always seemed so strange to me… Until recently, I heard him read a Psalm…and then another blogger mentioned the same verse — “I love you Lord, my strength”. I’m not a seasoned prayer warrior…but I’ve been uttering that prayer more than I thought I might, ever. Glory to God. I hated Him…I mean, really, really hated Him. He loved/s me…and I’m trying to learn to love Him back.
I greatly appreciate your usage of the word “miracle”. God performs miracles. Not magic. I hate magic. It is evil. Deceptive. The opposite of godlikeness. And I will not apologize for my passionate opposition to it. I think it’s incredibly dangerous to accredit God’s goodness and miracles to magic. I hate, HATE it!