A wise teacher taught me on Sunday that it’s not boasting to show ourselves as heroines in our stories, sharing our efforts to be disciples of Christ. Implied in every miracle in our work to follow the the Savior is the presence of the Savior, not the greatness of the disciple. Therefore, it would be a mistake to avoid sharing goodness for fear we sound like we are boasting. Miracles are not human made, not possibly earned, nor perfectly deserved. God is generous!
I draw a star on my calendar on days when I see miracles in my life or the lives of my friends. I can’t leave the month of July without trying to relate that I have seen miracles this summer, so I have decided to share two miracles with you. I want to show gratitude for these things, and if you, dear reader, are struggling, perhaps acknowledging miracles could be a good exercise for you.
Richard’s absence from home this month wore on me, and one day I felt especially tired, but followed through with my plan go to a viewing before a funeral to comfort my friend. I didn’t even wash my face before I left; I just threw on my dress and wore whatever was left of the makeup I had applied the day before. When I walked in the room, Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President was standing right in front of me. I didn’t realize the deceased was her niece. She pulled me aside and asked me who I was, not allowing me to leave my introduction of myself as “a friend of the grandparents,” and asked to know my full name. She complimented me on my good countenance. Finally, I confessed that I was serving as a Relief Society president and she gave me a big hug and said no wonder she felt drawn to talk to me. She asked about my ward and listened to me rave about how good the sisters are. I felt the Lord had guided sweet Sister Burton to talk to me and tell me that she thought I looked like a good person. I don’t think of myself as someone who seeks the approval of others, but it felt so good to feel validation from her. This miracle makes me want to spread the love she showed to me.
I saw miracles from single verses of scripture. The previous Relief Society president in my ward always sent beautifully wrapped treats up to Girls Camp, so I was trying to follow the tradition to do the same. I realized as I looked down at the table of snacks that my secretary had prepared that this was NOT ME. I needed to add something; something truly from me, not just copy someone else’s tradition. I pulled out my phone and found my list of scriptures I have tagged as “words of encouragement” and wrote one scripture reference on the tag of each gift. I sent no other words, just a different scripture for each girl and leader to look up. Several people have stopped me to tell me how meaningful those verses were; that the words seemed to be “just for them.” These stories represent miracles. God was involved in the details of that day when those gifts were prepared and when the gifts were passed out at camp.
I don’t believe there are small miracles. If a miracle of “coincidence” or “kindness” gives someone strength to go on or change, this is no small thing. These miracles were important, even vital to me, and hopefully others this month.