miracles

The Miracle of the Luna Moth

/ inkspeare

The story I am about to tell happened to me last year. I don’t know if you are familiar with the Luna Moth, but it is beautiful and large. Its wings are fluorescent lime-green, and it is supposed to be a nocturnal moth. Luna moths only live for 7 days, and although they are not rare, because of their very short life span, they are rare to see. I have only seen two during my lifetime. At night they seem to glow because their fluorescent wings reflect the light. When I first saw one, I was in awe at how beautiful it was, and I did not know what it was; I thought it was the most gorgeous butterfly. I looked it up and, in the process, learned about it. I learned that because the Luna Moth only lives 7 days, it doesn’t have a mouth; it doesn’t eat. During that time, it reproduces to continue the species. What a wonder of nature.

Last year, while I was walking around the garden, I saw a Luna Moth in very bad shape. Its wings were shredded into pieces, only a wing seemed almost fine, but not quite. The poor moth was struggling on the ground and could hardly move. It was trying to reach a part of the garden where there were more plants. I felt so sad for it, but I could not do anything to help because I was afraid to hurt it more if I picked it up or try to place her where she was trying to go. The Luna Moth reached a spot in the garden and stopped there. It stayed there. It did not move much. Feeling helpless, I said, “Lord, please, help this creature of yours; send your angels to help.” Then, because I did not want to see it suffering, I started walking back to the side entrance of my house. I have only taken a few steps when suddenly, I saw a Luna Moth fly by me fast; it just almost touched me. I watched it fly high into the woods. Immediately, I went back only a few steps to where I had left the injured Luna Moth. It was gone. I looked around and I could not find it. I looked around some more. I knew it could not have gone far in less than a minute or so. I couldn’t contain my tears, tears of joy. I was sure that God had help the Luna Moth and restored its wings. I was in the presence of a miracle. I gave thanks.

I thought about it the entire day, and night; I still think about it from time to time. That day, God showed me that He cares about all His creation, but also, that He is always present, and that when we talk to Him, at any moment, He listens. His love is immense. God is good.

When Miracles Leave a Trail

/ inkspeare
Photo by M.A.D.

Ever been in a situation where no matter how much you analyze it there appears to be no solution? In those instances, one hopes for a miracle, and many prayers after, a miracle takes place. Most likely, one recognizes and appreciates the miracle, however, many times, it takes a while to comprehend the full impact of that miracle and all the backstage work (godly work) leading to it. Sometimes, it takes time to see the whole miracle as it unfolded. It is then, when we start discovering little pieces of information that come to us bit by bit, leading us to understand and comprehend the magnitude of a miracle. It is this trail of awe that makes us see in full completion the experience of it. If gratitude and awe were strong before, the trail of a miracle not only humbles us, but plants a seed of hope, faith, joy, and peace within.

One realizes that human reasoning has its limits, and when reached, faith and hope take over. If you have experienced a miracle, a happy resolution to what seemed like a hopeless situation, pay attention to the trail that it leaves, and your perspective (more so) will be changed.

There are No Coincidences

/ inkspeare

I believe that what we call coincidences are tiny miracles that intertwine in this life. Every writer, at one point, questions his/her path and the issue of why keep on writing, or what difference does it make? I’ve have asked that question; I asked that question to God. A few weeks ago I got my answer in the most unusual way.

A few weeks ago, something happened that changed my perspective as far as my writing goes. During that time, I had received a shipment of copies of my latest book – The Five-dollar Miracle, and the next day, I gifted the first copy. It was an impromptu offering. I was talking to that person and the books where next to me. A few days later, I had a casual conversation with that person and she mentioned the many similarities she encountered reading the story. She told me the book spoke to her, and many things she had taken to heart. She was going through many of the challenges the story presented, and so was her church. The pastor had died three months ago, and the congregation faced new challenges as well. What caught her eye and made her read further on was the first paragraph. She asked me how I came up with that date. I found the question unusual, and I told her it was a random date with no significance to me – the day I sat to write the story. For her, it was the day her husband died. I did not know her during that time. She mentioned that she was starting the five-dollar miracle.

Later on, I pondered all the events that had lead to that conversation and weaved my tiny miracle. By then, I had put my question to God out of mind. Only when I pondered these things I realized that my question had been answered. I don’t know if she will find something more in this story, but as far as I know the writing of it mattered, at least for her. As soon as I understood this, I thanked God for his love. I had a new perspective on writing.

As writers, we never know for whom we are writing the stories we create, but sometimes, we are blessed to have a glimpse. As far as I am concerned, The Five-dollar Miracle fulfilled its purpose, and I was able to find a new perspective in writing. If you have asked yourself the same question I asked, I hope this post helps you in some way.

THE FIVE-DOLLAR MIRACLE

“My name is Jonathan. My official name is Zadquiel. I prefer Jonathan. The story that I am about to tell you happened in Jasper Falls, a small town in the north of Virginia, USA. It was a small miracle, a five-dollar miracle that changed a stranger, a pastor, an entire congregation, and a whole country. I will take you to that day – July 29, 2016.” (excerpt from The Five-dollar Miracle)