There have been points in time since August 2012 that Brett has been confined to bed rest 24/7. During one of those times, I read the book One Thousand Gifts aloud to him. It chronicles the life changing journey of the author as she takes the time to write down the gifts that surround her. She carefully notes each one and numbers it on the paper. But in between the numbers, real life happens. Hard life. Challenging life. Still her focus on thankfulness remains.
The book was one of the ways God helped us keep our attitude right and focus on a thankful lifestyle at a time when that might not have been our initial response. So over this last bit as we’ve been walking through some new challenges –doing life between the numbers–one of the key concepts from the book keeps making its way to the forefront of my heart . . . God’s good gifts are in plain sight. His miracles do not hide. The question is, will we see them?
God has really seemed to bless me with the ability to see everyday miracles. To notice and have a sense of awe at all the things that needed to occur just so I could be blessed on that particular day, in that particular moment with that specific glimpse of Him. It’s mind boggling when you think about it. The events that occur at just the right time. The things that simply “fall into place” right when you need them to. When you consider how long in the making that specific action/thing/gift was and how many things had to happen preceding it for it to take place at that very moment in time–Wow! Amazing. I’m going to be so bold as to say . . . miraculous. They are evidence that the Extraordinary is active in every single ordinary day.
But as wonderful as those things are, they really don’t begin to even scratch the surface of the real miracles, the unhidden gifts, He has blessed us with. The true miracles in our lives give meaning to our special places, fill our calendars with significant dates, and are a part of all of life’s important events. They wear smiles, laugh loudly, express all manner of messy emotion and speak joy to our hearts. Our miracles live in plain sight.
This is my Man.
Ever at my side. 
Fighting at my wall.
Fiercely loving me at every turn.
Despite physical limitations.
He is the Face of the Miraculous.
His testimony. His life. His endurance.
Lord, Your wonders do not cease.
♥ ♥ ♥
This is our Sweet Girl.
Passionate for her Savior.
Steadily pursuing Him in an unsteady world.
Finding her standing stones and making camp at her Gilgal.
She is tangible proof that God desires the best for me. She is His whisper of sweetness. She is the work of His hands.
He is greatly to be praised.
♥ ♥ ♥
These are my Parents.
Doing life differently than what they imagined.
Persevering.
Serving.
Loving.
Conquering the challenges of life.
They possess treasures untold. A new Faith Heritage.
The Intervention of Grace.
His love endures through all generations.
♥ ♥ ♥
These are my heart children. Some my spiritual off spring and some I pray will be. All of whom I love.
For some the faith journey is yet to begin.
Others fight the good fight with tenacity.
And for one, the battle has been won.
Faith has become sight.
They are precious–every one. Straight from His Hand. A gift to my heart.
Blessed am I among women O Lord.
♥ ♥ ♥
And these beauties are my Sisters.
Aren’t they breathtaking?
Is there anything more stunning, more fearsome, more miraculous than a chick with a Sword?
Every single one of them has looked devastation straight in the eyes.
But they stand firm.
Dressed for combat.
Arms linked in faith.
Hearts filled with love.
His love for me shines through these Warriors at my side!
And Oh, how I wish I had pictures of every single woman I am privileged to do life with. You all wear the miraculous so well and I am in awe of you.
Father, may I never look this kind of beauty in the face and fail to praise you.
♥ ♥ ♥
The sight of my miracle crew is overwhelming to me and as I proofread this I feel my love for them slide down my cheeks. Sweet One, it is no different for you. Your miracles do not hide. Your gifts are in plain sight.
Look through the photo album in your own heart. Study the faces. Hear the sounds of joy. Remember the tears of separation. Take them in. Family, friends, memories . . . .MIRACLES.
All walks of life, all circumstances, all manner of trials and through it all the Giver of good gifts is shouting love to you. Intervening in every one of your days with their smiles, their struggles, their presence. Through them He Interrupts the mundane with the miraculous. Beloved, these are the good gifts – the hearts – He has entrusted to you. The miracles He has chosen to fill your days with.
How can we call a single moment ordinary when we are surrounded by the works of the Extraordinary? Each one of them is a “stop and smell the roses” moment wearing skin. They are revelation of God Himself. His most prized creation. His unhidden gifts. Blessings that live in plain sight.
And yet, I find that sometimes my life between the numbers obscures my vision. I begin to see the faces of my miracles as ordinary. I forget by failing to remember. Failing to remember that they are the works of His Hands. They are the faces of His wonder. My gifts do not go into hiding. My miracles are all still there. I just fail to see. I forget to remember. Oh Sister, do not let your life between the numbers steal your vision. Let it be changed by what you see! Open your eyes. See your Miracles. Remember your Gifts.
PSALM 77:11-14
I recall all you have done, O LORD;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.
O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as You?
You are the God of miracles and wonders!
I WILL REMEMBER!
glimpsedglory 