Miracles - the "Coincidences" Man Doesn't Give God Credit For
By P. Roe, http://www.abetterlife.net
I truly believe that God talks to us, but we usually don't listen, or we
pass it off as a "coincidence". Well, the messages came to me are much
more than what can be a "coincidence" - I experienced a definite
message from God. The trick is to recognize it - my pastor tells me
"A coincidence is the miracle man does not give God credit for."
My story:
This began when my mother passed away. She had been suffering from
dementia at too young an age, then developed some complications and
became gravely ill. She had a stroke, and was largely paralyzed. She
hadn't known us for the past year, but near the end, her mind cleared up
to know us. She could not talk, barely could move, but she REACHED
for us, and her eyes connected fully with us, showing us her love, and
showing us she followed us. She could understand us more than in the
past three years. This was a blessing for all of us, and I know it was by
God's grace that she was allowed to think more clearly. Also, someone
at the nursing home had brought a radio into her room on the evening
of her death, and had placed a Christian station on. I thank that person.
After she was gone, we had to make funeral plans, and we needed to
find passages and hymns. We weren't totally sure which hymns she
would like, but we chose "A Mighty Fortress is Our God", since it is
the "theme song", if you will, of Lutherans. We knew she KNEW that
hymn, so it made sense to use it. My then 5 year old daughter chose
"Jesus, Remember Me, When You Come Into Your Kingdom". That
had meaning and was sweet - for my little 5 year old to choose for her
Grandmother. Then we didn't know which other hymn. My father
remembered a hymn in Finnish that she liked, but he had no idea of its
English words or tune. He said some of the words in Finnish, did a
rough translation, and my sister (who did not go to church, was
absolutely not familiar with a Lutheran Book of Worship, and probably
had never opened one up) picked up the Lutheran Book of Worship,
flipped straight to a page, and began reading the words of a hymn, "For
the Beauty of the Earth." She showed the book to my father, and asked
if that was the song. He read it and said it was the English words of the
hymn. How she flipped right to it with no clue is a testimonial of God's
direction. The song was a very appropriate song. The service was
beautiful.
In the meantime, we decided to cremate her, to set her free and not
locked in a box. She had been locked up in that body, trapped in the
dementia for too long. We wanted her to finally be free. The dilemma
we had is where to place to her ashes. My sisters and I thought of
places she loved. In Colorado Springs, in the mountains near our old
cabin, in Finland (her birthplace). They felt perhaps in the mountains,
near our cabin we grew up at. On the way to the funeral, while driving,
very, very strong images were put into my mind. They showed the place
in the mountains, on a cold winter day, snow melting, cloudy, gray, and
very, very lonely. It told me she was not to be placed there. Then I saw
images of her friends, us, sunny days, her homes over the years, and
Pikes Peak. It was very strong. It told me she was to be on Pikes Peak,
overlooking her homes and her friends, and her family (one sister still
living there). She would be remembered, not forgotten. We can visit the
spot, but more importantly we can look at that majestic mountain and
identify it with her. I can see it nearly every day in the distance on my
drive. My other sister, who is out of state, has so many photos of Pikes
Peak that she can look at those and think of Mom. Plus, there are quite
a few photos in different places of Pikes Peak and that will allow us all
to think of Mom as we see them. Her friends will remember her when
they look at the mountain. So I told my sisters, before the funeral, that
Mom needed to be on Pikes Peak, and why. One sister said she was
"pushed" to think about Pikes Peak that morning, as well, but didn't
connect it. So it was unanimous - her ashes would be placed on Pikes
Peak, in a good place to overlook her familiar areas. It felt right. It felt
like she would be at peace.
Then, our church had its annual Thanksgiving pie social on the eve of
Thanksgiving Day, one year later. It was one year on the night that
Mom died. I decided church would be a place of comfort that evening,
so we went. What happened that night gave me amazing peace. During
the service, the bell choir played a song on the bells, "For the Beauty
of the Earth". I was moved, and looked at my watch - the time was
THE time they Mom's estimated death. I knew it was a message, to tell
me she was at peace. It was too peaceful and too much to be any
coincidence.
It was a message. When I told my sisters, one of them reminded me
that Mom used to collect bells (and she had a passion for bells), so how
appropriate the song was, to be played by the bell choir (not to mention
sparing me having to sing the words on such an emotional evening). I
know there were messages from above - there is no question in my mind.
It is NOT "coincidence" - not this many times, andall those specific things.
Later, on Mother's Day, at church, the first song of the day was "For the
Beauty of the Earth" - a strong reminder of my mother and her peace.
Then also "Jesus, Remember Me" was played and sung in the service. I
think it was another message to make me think of her, and to let me
know she is at peace, and may be watching over us.
On the service just prior to her birthday, the readings, the gospel lesson,
and Sunday school class, were all in some way relating to the story of
Lydia (which was my mother's middle name, Lyydia). I thought it might
be another push of a message for me, to think of her, and to know her
birthday is coming. To let me know she is in some way with us.
That year, Thanksgiving fell on the day my mother passed away - and
we went to the Thanksgiving Eve service on the evening prior. In that
service, the choir sang "For the Beauty of the Earth" and it was done
differently but the words were the same, so I received comfort once
more. Then it occurred to me - the "push" we got to use that song in the
funeral - what was the reason? Is it a custom that our church presents
that song in some way every year? Was that why there was a "push" for
it, so I will be reminded and comforted each year? Or is it that the choir
director gets a "push" each of the last two years to include it in the
service? I know it's a miracle either way, and still a sign of comfort. I
did bring it up - and was assured it was not a regularly planned song.
I am convinced there are many more messages for us, if we listen and
notice. We discount so many messages, but they are there. You might
have to try to be more aware, and get that "coincidence" thinking out
of your head. Once you accept, I think you'll notice more. It's there, if
you accept and notice and listen (sometimes using other senses, as
well). There is no way anyone will convince me this wasn't a message.
~~~~~~~~~~
Paulina Roe has a Christian site with thoughts and miracles at
http://www.abtterlife.net/Christianpage.html
If you have a great story of a miracle or message, send it to
mailto:abetteryou@...?subject=Iheard!
and it will get posted, if it's appropriate. If you would like to read a
pet story in which God's Hand was involved, here are more:
http://abetterlife.net/testament2.html
Lent is Upon Us
Lent has begun - this is a time to focus on Jesus. What will you give up? Make it something that seems to
be a hardship - not just chocolate or soda - even though it may seem rough for you, you aren't suffering or
doing anything that is really a sacrifice. Make it sting - and think about this - perhaps you can
make a difference in your life - you might get rid of a bad habit. Give up smoking - that is difficult for
a smoker. Give up all sweets - not just sodas and chocolates. Quit teasing your sister, quit maoning and complaining.
If you can't think of something to give up, start to do something - smile at atrangers, read the Bible daily, do
something good and nice to someone every day. Somehow make some other people's lives better by something you do for others.
And through any and all of this - think of Jesus and what He taught, what He sacrificed, what He went through for us. Lent is
a time to think of all Jesus did for us, and what He was all about. He fasted, He was tortured, He was ridiculed.
He didn't deserve any of it, and he did it for our sakes - so what is the big deal about giving something up to show
our empathy and respect for Jesus? He make the ultimate sacrifice!
The Word for the Season of Lent (Matthew 25:31-46):
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the
goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come,
you that are blesed by my Father, inherit the kingdon prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and
you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you
gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. And when was it that we saw you a stranger
and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? Andwhen was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are of my family, you
did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to
drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not
visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in
prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least
of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
How can you help others in this season of Lent? Take on some mission work to serve, as above.
