If it were not for the Holy Spirit, we would not have made it through the first few weeks of marriage.
My life is full of miracles.
It is a miracle that I was created in the first place. My older brother was born stillborn. He never breathed the air that I breathe on this Earth. His soul went to Heaven before he was ever able to live a life on this Earth. Apart from the time that he had with my mother before his birth, his entire existence is in Heaven.
The fact that my older brother did not live a life on this Earth, but that I did, is a miracle in itself. You see there are many possible reasons why that child was not able to survive his gestation. And over forty years ago the technology, culture and compassion was not at a sufficient level to actually result in any meaningful answers for my parents in their efforts to begin a family life with children. And there is a miracle that I survived my childhood and my teenage years. It is miraculous that I lived through trips overseas, the recent COVID-19 pandemic and even giving birth to my own children.
There is a great miracle in the fact that I wake up each morning breathing the air and live throughout the day breathing oxygen in and out and will do this without any intention or effort. There is a marvellous miracle in that.
There is a miracle in my children being born to me – not only because any soul could have been given to me, but God chose these souls – but because I am actually physically unable to have children. The complications in my condition mean that it would have been very difficult for me to have biological children, and yet I have three living children and one little Saint in Heaven. And that is a great miracle.
But there are more miracles then that. I am married to my husband. The two of us – who are actually incredibly different – have come together and decided that we will live out the remainder of our Earthly lives together as a couple and as a family. And despite all of our differences, despite the different ways we were raised, and the different families and backgrounds and experiences. Despite our different ways of approaching things. Despite our different attitudes and values, the two of us have for some reason – many years ago – committed to being together for the remainder of our Earthly lives. And if you think that we have stayed married all this time through that singular commitment then you would be very mistaken. You see, if it were not for the Holy Spirit, we would not have made it through the first few weeks of marriage. If I were left to my own devices, I would certainly be far too selfish to stay in this thing that I committed to so long ago now.
And I have been thinking about that as I have been thinking about all the miracles of my life. And it seems to me that I am completely blessed in ways that I could not ever articulate in words. Because my life is a miracle. My whole entire life…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.