Do Miracles Still Happen?

In a time of such pain, suffering, and horrible things happening around the world, it can be hard to find hope. It can also be easy to wonder if miracles still happen.

I felt such a big feeling of hopelessness, pain, and heartache while watching the news today. It’s easy for your mind to wander and wonder what’s going to happen next… to the world, our families, and even ourselves.

At the same time, there was also a quiet whisper of God saying "I will never leave you nor forsake you" Hebrews 13:5. He also whispered to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5. In that moment only His peace and His reassurance gave great encouragement as well as the reminder of a miracle that did happen.

A few years back, John was in a horrible, near fatal, car accident. Here’s what happened and the miracles we experienced ourselves:

While driving around a bend, John’s vehicle slipped on black ice. He was going about 50mph and his car ran straight into a telephone pole. They said he should've died on impact… but he didn't. Miracle #1.

He was sitting in his car for a few seconds when he heard the sound of a tree cracking and falling. It was the pole. The pole crashed straight down on his head, smashing his car. They said that the impact of the pole should've killed him… but it didn't. Miracle #2.

After being knocked out, he regained consciousness only to see the car was engulfed in smoke. Afraid the car might catch on fire, he got out. The ground was covered with many live wires. He got out and "ran" across them. The firefighters couldn't understand how he did that and thought he was lying. He insisted many times that he just ran across them. They said that should've definitely killed him… but it didn't. Miracle #3.

Once he had ran across the wires he passed out on the other side of the street. Just then another car came around the bend and almost ran him over. They said that car should've killed him as well… but it didn't. Miracle #4. 

Remembering this accident I can't help but be filled with emotion. It feels like it was just yesterday. How it felt to get the call. The 45 minute drive to the hospital, not knowing what I would be faced with once I got there. I felt so much fear and prayed like crazy for a miracle. Like always, God came through!

Although John still deals with pain from that accident, he is alive and walking. Sometimes, while reflecting on that day, all that can be seen is God, wrapping His hands around John, loving him and protecting him. Telling the devil, "Not today, you can't have him. There is a lot more I need John to do for Me."

Yes, miracles are still happening amongst the pain and suffering. We must keep the hope and peace from God close to us. Trust Him and His way (even though sometimes they don't make sense). His ways are not our ways and that’s something to be very grateful for!!

If there wouldn’t had been so many amazing miracles, and things had gone the other way, Anchor Ministry would not be here today. John wouldn’t be able to continue to share God's message of love, mercy, grace and, most of all, forgiveness to struggling inmates.

It’s a wonderful feeling to know no matter how big our mistakes can be, or how big our "wrong" choices are, God is always there loving us and forgiving us. Men (and women) that are incarcerated need to be told about God's love and forgiveness and they need to know that it’s never too late to start down a new path.