I don’t know if this will make sense. I’m not ready to detail the story of a miracle – or name the miracle that happened last week, but I will next week. This week, I am collecting all the pieces and parts it, like a puzzle strewn all around. God prepares the heart, my friend, for the challenges. . . and He cares for us tenderly during and after the challenge.

Last Wednesday afternoon while I napped with my grandson, I dreamed a God-Dream. It had beautiful sea vistas, whales, home upside down, an oil rig, and a safety and saving seemed impossible, the only alternative: to try.

That night, doing the dishes, I caught myself sliding into dark areas when God nudged me to lift my head, to remember Him, to praise Him. . . and I did. I lifted my head to joy, to hope, to praise. The change of perspective changed the joy-factor in my life – and trusting in prayers sent out. Sometimes kitchen work is so much more than kitchen work.

“God grows us not only in The Wait of A Prayer Sent Out but also in The Prayer Answered. An Answered Prayer doesn’t mean The Challenge is Over; Sometimes it heralds another season of growth, blooming, harvesting. Sometimes, The Answer to your Prayer may feel like holding A Hot Potato! Don’t let Go!” ~ Thoughts in The Everyday Ordinary

By the following noon, I understood what God was telling me in that Wednesday afternoon dream. . . .

Thursday morning was A Miracle Morning. I’m still unpacking all that happened. . . Sometimes miracles take your breath away. Sometimes you need a few days to recuperate, to regain footing and step back into the everyday ordinary. I’m doing that this week. I’m praising God for what He’s done. I’m remembering the details. . . and savoring what He has given. Thursday was a speaking-to-the-storm day – and I remembered what He’d taught me a few years ago about living in a storm:

“. . . and the girl spoke to the storm that bore down upon her to rip her apart from root to heart, ‘All is well.’

‘That cannot be,’ said the storm, a vortex of chaos, rage and coldness, twisting the dirt, roots and limbs of the earth up to the heavens. ‘For I have more strength than you.’

‘All is well,’ said the girl. ‘Because my Lord said so.’

. . . and the storm for a moment quieted as if deflated, then roiled itself up into a rage, unleashing its full force on the girl, bashing against her like a tsunami to a shore – and the storm saw her Lord, standing between the girl and the storm, protecting her with his gleaming shield – and the storm raged onward, searching for those who didn’t know ‘All is well,’ those who didn’t have the protection of the girl’s Lord to save them.” ~ All is Well. . . Even Though, M. Bucher

It’s a Praising God kind of morning – every morning is, though. Every moment is. Every Hard. Every Easy. Praise lifts our heads, our heart, our countenance. Praise makes the sun shine on our souls when the storm surrounds. Praise lightens our burdens that try to weigh us down, to pin us in a move of despair. Praising our Father changes all things to good for those that believe. ~ Thoughts after a Miracle Morning

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Miracles shake up the everyday ordinary. They’re answered prayers sometimes you didn’t know needed answering. Sometimes they are the answers to your prayers, but the answer isn’t as comfortable as you hoped it would be. . . ., and yes, they might feel like a hot potato for a while, but don’t let go. God’s plans are always amazing. Joy does come in the morning.