"Be the Miracle"

Good morning! I hope you’ve had a great weekend and have hit the ground running this Monday morning.

This weekend I was watching a movie in which the lead character was challenged to “Be The Miracle.” That line has stuck with me and today I want to bring that same challenge before you.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)

The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Christmas time is a time of joy, but for many it is also a time of deep sorrow. In the hustle and bustle of our own Christmas celebration it is easy to lose sight of those who are hurting, in need or lonely. This was brought home vividly to me a few years ago.

In 1992 I was a Police Officer in Ft. Worth, TX. I worked the Christmas Eve night shift that year. At about 2AM I was called to a disturbance in a home where a Father had gone into a drunken rage and severely beat his wife and two small children. These children didn’t get to sleep with visions of “sugar plum fairies” nor did they wake up to gifts under the tree. Their Christmas present was an out of control Father who gave rage instead of love and pain instead of presents. For these children there would be no Christmas.

Just like those children there are many who have no joy in their lives this year. What they desperately need is for someone to care…for someone to notice…for someone to listen. There was a news segment on the other night about gifts that could be given to residents of a local home for the aged. The number one gift that was suggested was to just go and visit…to talk and to listen.

This week I want to challenge you to “Be the Miracle” in someone else’s life. Adopt an angel from the angel tree. Make a donation to the Salvation Army. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Visit a widow, a shut in or a nursing home resident. Invite an international student into your home. Take some extra gifts to a family who has lost their source of income. Be generous in your gift. Give completely of yourself and you will be amazed at the difference your efforts will make in someone else’s life.

Don’t stop there…don’t let your miracle working be confined to the Christmas season. Look for opportunities everyday to “Be the Miracle.” Pump gas for someone, shovel the snow out of a neighbor’s driveway and sidewalk, take a meal to someone who has been ill, give a ride to a friend, help someone carry their groceries. All it takes to “Be the Miracle” is open eyes and a willing heart.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl