Yesterday morning during worship, I stood between my husband and my 4th son – stood between two miracles, between two people I love to God’s beard and back who are here today because the hand of God stayed death – I stood, remembered and wept.

The miracle on my right was born 22 years ago on a stormy Sunday, June 14th y afternoon. He hadn’t even taken his first breath when God saved my 4th son’s life. “I don’t have a heart beat” were the last words I heard before they knocked me out. God held Cam until the doctor did. My husbands says there were lots of tears and “Praise God” in the OR. When he was three, he was telling his brothers, “In the name of the Lord” . . . stop fighting or talking. When he was 4, he wanted to lay hands on Caleb and ask God to put His band-aid on his boo-boo. When he was 5, he was trying to evangelize Caleb. He’s the only one who can say, “Calm down Mom” and not rile me up. He proves one out of 4 have the recessive eye gene. He doesn’t give up, works hard, and is kind and gentle with his nieces and nephews. . . . and has always stood shoulder to shoulder with his brothers no matter how much younger or smaller growing up, not matter how much strength, determination and courage standing should to shoulder took. He’s asked me to teach him how to make my grilled cheese because he says he’s gotta know when he moves out some day. He’s read my blog upon occasion and even did a book review – and he believes in the One who saved Him, though God doesn’t always answer prayers the way he wants them answered. (You can read more about Cam’s miracle here: One Reason I Believe: My Faith Story)

The miracle standing to my left was born destined for a shorter life – but nobody knew. Even the doctors who sat on a on a heart valve report for a year, until God prompted my husband to do a follow up. Within two days, he had a new doctor and within 4 weeks, his now-critical heart valve was replaced. The story is about the man-made, life-threatening error. The story is about how God allowed an error to reveal a cancer that would not have been there a year earlier. The photo above? That is what Life After Cancer looks like! Thank you God for the blessing that came out of the heart valve replacement – it might have “only” been a little nodule of lung cancer – never underestimate what Satan can do with a little bad. We were unsure of that nodule being cancer for three weeks. Two weeks after his aortic valve was replaced, the lung team went in to see. We had a positive diagnosis probably 5 minutes before the love was removed. God knew before we did – and tenderly took us on this life-saving journey. He had the plan before we even knew about the critical valve! Thank you, Father for the amazing grace you gave our entire family! This man lives the calm, steady faith in our family. He’s quiet. He’s so wise. When he says, “Wait,” I’ve learned to wait, listen and look! He’s incredibly gentle with his sons – and more so with his grands! If you were to ask, “What has God done for you?” – I would point to him and thank God for the answered prayers that led me to him and the God that aligned all things to save him! (To read this miracle, click here for Part 1 and Part 2.)

Yesterday, standing between two of my miracles, gratitude overwhelmed me, that God loved me so much He saved both of them – not because I’m deserving, not because I get this every day living stuff right, not because I’ve checked all the boxes that lead to perfection. He knows exactly how undeserving I am, how undisciplined I can be, how I’m my own kind of mess all day long – no matter how hard I try, the wrong steps and words with my sons, with my husband. I’d like to say He saved them because I was worthy – but I’m not. He saved them because His daughter cried out – and believed! I gave Him permission to come in and fix “it.”

But friends, neither of these miracles was a last minute saving. God had the saving plan before both of them took their first breath! I tell my boys, God’s not like your mama. He doesn’t burst in to help until He’s invited.

For over nine months before Cam was born, after we’d lost our little girl halfway through the pregnancy, I’d started thanking God for this whole, healthy child.

The minute we invited God into the heart-valve crisis, He saved and saved again.

How could I not be overwhelmed with God’s amazing grace, amazing plans – amazing love! Some dads make automotive lighting, some dads make delicious dishes, some make hearts beat in the right rhythm. Some dad’s make students into athletes. My Dad – He makes miracles!

Thank you, Father, for these two faith stories of your amazing love!

What are you remembering today?

While every day is a Remember God Day, I am inviting you to join me on Monday mornings to come by and remember what God has done for you, for your family. Maybe God sent a cardinal darting out in front of you, as if to tell you, “I’m here,” or broke a child’s fever after you laid it all down at His feet in a 2 a.m. bedside vigil. Maybe He stood with you in the wait of a prayer sent out, or brought someone you loved to Christ. Maybe He healed your broken heart, gave your courage, or you gave Him your dreams as a love offering only to have Him give them back in an unimaginable way. Maybe God helped you survive to bedtime after a crazy Monday, or forgive yourself for missing it with your kiddos –– Whatever it is, let’s Remember Him. . . in a “Remember Me Monday” love letter.

“My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
Of your salvation all the day long,
Though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord”
~ Psalm 71:15-16.

Let us delight in Him by telling the  stories of what He’s done! No Linkey – just blog hop old style – because I like how that starts communication and builds relationships. If you wrote a blog post remembering what He’s done for you, put it in the comment section. If you didn’t but what to praise Him for what He’s done – write it in the comment section. Then visit a comment before or after yours! One of the beautiful things about the blogging community is the relationships it builds!

Rules?  Write long or short, a list or a story, include photos or not. Just Remember Him and what He has done, and let the gratitude of your heart guide you.

#remembermemonday #godwantsustoremember #godisthebestfather

Remember Me Monday: #5

Places I’m linking with:
Grace & Truth/What We Learned/Inspire Me Monday/Legacy Linkup/Literacy Musings/Tell His Story/WelcomeHeart/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected and Faith On Fire.