Common Miracles

“A miracle is often the willingness to see the common in an uncommon way.” – Noah Benshea

This quote pretty much explains my Watchful Wednesday post for this week. Some people would look at my day last week and see it as pretty common. But for me, it was an “I can’t believe I get to experience this much joy in just twelve hours” kind of day.

One thing I LOVE to do is enjoy a meal outside – except I hate bugs, and I don’t want to be in direct sunlight, and I prefer a peaceful setting to being along a parking lot or busy highway. In other words, I’m kind of a high-maintenance al fresco diner.

Last Tuesday I met a friend for some shopping and lunch. When we were planning our day we started with, “Where are we going to eat lunch?” and planned the shopping around that one critical piece of information. We picked a restaurant that we knew had a beautiful patio in hopes that it would be nice for sitting outside. And it was. In fact, the weather was perfect and there was nary a bug in sight. If you live in an area of the country without bugs and humidity this may not seem like a big deal to you, but trust me, here in Minnesota to have a warm, but not too warm day, without bugs or humidity, is nothing short of miraculous.

It was like a kiss from God. But he didn’t stop there.

After our shopping/lunch fun was over I drove out to West Central Minnesota for a meeting with the other writers I work with at Bridging the Gap. We met at a home located on a lake. Now, you need to know that when I think “lake” I think “bugs” at the exact same time. The two are practically synonymous here in Minnesota and to be perfectly honest, it sometimes makes me itchy just to think about it. At this point I’m sure you’re starting to understand that I really, really, REALLY hate bugs, especially those of the biting variety. But again, there wasn’t a bug in sight, the weather was perfect, and we were able to eat dinner and have our meeting on my friend’s deck. It was glorious!

So twice – in one day – I got to do one of my most favorite things, dine outside, with some of my favorite people. And though it may sound crazy, I’m pretty sure I heard God say to me on the way home, “Nancy, I did this for you today because I love you more than you can comprehend.”

Does that mean that I don’t think God loves me on days when it’s humid and sticky or freezing and blustery? Absolutely not. I know he loves me Every. Single. Day. But on that particular day, Tuesday, July 29, 2014, he just gave me an extra little hug.

How have you felt God hug you recently? Maybe it’s time to start looking.

“Miracles are like pimples, because once you start looking for them you find more than you ever dreamed you’d see.” – Lemony Snicket

Today I am linking up to another blog written by an encouraging woman of faith, Holley Gerth.