The Two Miracles - A Short Story

The Two Miracles

Christopher Kolker MD

They sat side by side in that warm, musty-smelling, old country church. She was a new mother,  clutching her young daughter, and he was much older, his face filled with glee. When the pastor finally called for testimonials after a long and powerful sermon, the thin but vigorous old man leapt to his feet, ran to the stage, and grabbed the mic from the startled young pastor.

“I’ve been saved!”

“I had a lump in my chest, and it disappeared. The doctors don’t know what happened. I’d be happy to tell them -  Jesus has saved me!”  The crowded church erupted in applause, and “Hallelujahs!” rang out. After the service, everyone swarmed around the old man, his face beaming with joy and pride, soaking in the well-wishes and praising God.

Our new mother remained calm. While the congregants buzzed the word “miracle”, she simply could not stop looking into the beautiful hazel eyes of her new baby. Born just three weeks ago after years of trying, she, too, felt she knew what a miracle was.

Three months later, they sat side by side once more. However, Julie could tell the bounce was out of the old man’s step. He was still cured, but he seemed to be bored. His facial glow had long dissipated, and although they always sat in the same chairs in the same hot, crowded church, the old man had clearly changed.

Julie knew it would happen someday. Her baby continued to grow, and she saw the beauty of God’s creation in her baby. But one Sunday, she didn’t see the old man anymore. He always seemed healthy, but his spiritual fire had left. She knew one day his chair would be empty.

Creation is God’s miracle. Julie knew that. She held her own miracle every day. And she never forgot that.

The old man knew nothing of God’s boundless miracles except for the one he personally had. But time dulls emotions, and the mind rationalizes, so we begin to think it was just a medical error or a minor infection that passed. The power of the drama fades.

As Christians, we don’t need medical miracles. Yes, they occur, and we rejoice when we do.  But we see His magnificent creation that is this earth and its abundant life for the God-given miracle it is.  God’s power is all around us.

Does your faith need a splashy miracle? Or can you see God in the complexity and awe of nature, or in the smile and contentment of a beautiful baby? With faith, you will see God everywhere.

Just look for Him. Experience His miracles, especially the miracle that is Jesus Christ.