Choosing Miracles

It was just this time of year, with Easter just around the bend, when my then 8 year old child looked up at me and said, "This whole Resurrection thing is a little far fetched, don't you think, Mom?

Three thoughts immediately popped into my mind:

• How many 8 year olds use the word "far fetched"? #excellentvocabulary

• This is a serious question so I can't laugh; it's just so very sweet

• This child has really thought about what the Resurrection means.

I answered to the best of my mom ability, without having read the Mom manual on such matters. I took a deep breath as I prayed "Sweet Jesus, don't let me screw this up" and I replied, "you're absolutely right, it is a little far fetched; so is the fact that you are breathing right now. You're not thinking about it. It's just happening. Science can explain to you what happens with each cell in your body when you breathe, however, they can't explain your first breath. By the way, I might add, you're doing a great job breathing! Why, in fact I do believe you are a miracle."

Having reviewed the birds and the bees previously, we went on to talk about:

• how babies are born: how they literally hang out in the dark, in water, upside down and right around the 9th month mark they're born and finally get a chance to poop on their own. (my sweet child came up with that one)

• how no two people, throughout time, have the same DNA, not even identical twins

• how seasons change

• gravity (that sweet child is also a smart child)

In our humanness, much like we want the world to be fair, we also want an explanation for what is unexplainable. Maybe because there is a certain fear that comes with the supernatural; or maybe there is a loss of control/knowledge outside of what we can tangibly experience.

Sometimes, even Christians, choose their miracles. Some say, "Yes, I believe in the Resurrection but I have to draw the line at Jonah and the whole whale fiasco. (side note: there is scientific evidence that a man once survived inside a whale) "I am okay with the parting of the Red Sea, but the donkey talking in the book of Numbers is just plain silly." People end up creating boundaries of belief and limiting the reality of the supernatural in their lives. (For more on this topic, here's a great message from Grace Road.)

I have been told by more than one that my faith is a crutch and that people are glad it works for me. My only response is what I know from my own personal experience. I stood in a church when I was home from college break, and decided to talk to God-- which I figured either meant that someone was listening or I was talking to myself which happens on a daily basis. I literally told God I wasn't sure He was there and if He was, I prayed, 'Please help my unbelief." (more on my faith journey in blogs yet to come as well as my K turn fail and the chaos that followed #truestory ) A part of me really did believe that God could make anything happen at any moment including an earthquake, so I was relieved to open my eyes and find out the walls did not fall down around me. For me, it has been a baby step journey of faith.

Because I believe God's Word to be true, I also believe that miracles still happen all of the time. Part of my reality includes the supernatural that I can't explain. I have to trust, within the limits of all my senses, that all things are working together for my good, even when it's hard and life is not fair.

I am not sure where you are this Easter. Maybe you don't celebrate or your celebration is limited to bunnies and eggs. (I've secretly always thought that somehow chickens should be involved because they actually lay the eggs but it's too late now.) If you think that the whole Resurrection is a little too far fetched, you're not alone. Allow yourself the space to pray and doubt big and see what God does with your bold honesty.

In this season of new beginnings, my prayer for others and myself is to embrace the supernatural and choose all of the miracles. Happy Easter from the RambleBamble Girl!