God is Real

I’ve attended a Calvary Chapel-based church located just south of Nashville Tennessee for the past 20 years. I’ve been to two churches’ in my life. The Catholic Church from birth until age 36 and a non-denominational spirit filled, hands in the air, decidedly not Catholic church. That might sound like two extremes, but it really isn’t. I felt completely comfortable from the first time I showed up because of the symmetry in values and theology (at least around the things that matter). I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in God or couldn’t feel His presence in my life. Not uncommon for Italians, my mother was the spiritual head of our big family. She too felt God’s presence even as a small child.

Faith is defined as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. For some people this happens naturally, and child-like faith remains intact into adulthood. But often, trauma and the ravages of life smother and suppress the faith woven into our human DNA. Regardless of where you may be on your own spiritual journey, faith must still be nurtured while we walk this earth. It helps us stay the course and continue our march toward heaven.

My early understanding of miracles was mainly historic during early part of my life. I of course knew about the loaves and fishes and water into wine New Testament Jesus stories. And let’s not forget the trauma detailed in the miracles associated with the Catholic saints (often ending in horrible, bloody, painful martyrdom). As a child, I received ongoing and regular religious instruction within my family and through 12 years of Catholic school. We were trained to be responsible. We were told to never ask God for anything for ourselves, because He was consumed with the needs of the less fortunate. Jesus was to be adored, but it was understood He too was busy with starving babies in third world countries so we should turn to our patron saint or the Blessed Mother with our concerns.

During most of my life, I had the distinct feeling I was on my own. Success or failure was completely in my hands, and failure was not an option. Unfortunately, so was asking for help. That character defect was going to cause serious issues as I grew into adulthood. I didn’t really believe God had time for me or that I deserved any miracles. Unfortunately, after a blessed childhood, my years as a young wife and mother became extremely difficult. I held on to my Catholic faith like a life raft, neither growing nor fading in my beliefs. But in truth, I was barely treading water. I didn’t know how badly I needed a miracle, or God’s active presence directing my life. I would have turned over control---if I had known that was even an option.

Thankfully today I know Jesus was there all the time. It was me who pushed Him out of the way, trying to do it all myself.

What is a miracle?

Max Turner, a professor of New Testament at London Bible College uses the term in the semi-technical sense of an event that combines the following traits: it is an extraordinary or startling observable event; it cannot reasonably be explained in terms of human abilities or other known forces in the world; it is perceived as a direct act of God; and it is usually understood to have symbolic or sign value (e.g., pointing to God as redeemer and judge).

I’ve shared my testimony as a member of Alanon and Celebrate Recovery over the past 20 plus years more than once. The facts of my life are a cautionary tale at best. My personal story is complex, the terrible things that happened to me and my family and the truly miraculous amazing things we have experienced. I don’t ignore the bad for the good. They both have their significance. In seasons of extreme duress, it is easy to forget or deny the miraculous. I try to stay in the moment where God can meet me neither pretending the difficulties are not happening, nor missing the amazing events that occurred right the heart of my deepest despair.

This book is a compilation of 12 miracles, messages and moments that the God of the universe engineered just for me and my family. Those 12 distinct experiences have built my faith, helping me to wade through some very dark and difficult times. They’ve helped me to overcome my fear of not having enough, being alone and even the fear of death. I am most certainly still a work in progress. But every day is a new opportunity to share what I’ve experienced and what I know to be true. Putting these stories together is something I felt called to do, to share with someone else out there who might be feeling (as I had) that God was busy with bigger problems.

Everyone can use a message from God; miracles breathe life into faith and sustain us. Faith however does not mean we will avoid suffering. In fact, as most Christians know, the more you develop spiritually it is highly likely you’ll have more turmoil in your life not less. The objective isn’t to avoid trouble, but rather to not let it break you when the inevitable occurs. God will be there, right beside you, pouring His incredible love and protection over your life. I use the term miracle, but God messages or moments are appropriate as well. These are personalized experiences created just for us by a God that understands human pain and suffering.

Everything I’ve written is true. I call these stories my “burning bush” moments---because those are not just for Moses; they are available for you too. The Bible validates it, but my own experience sealed the deal.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.