Miracles on Miracles

December’s end always leads me to the reflecting pool. In this case, I am reflecting on the blurred combined time frame that is now known as March2020tothisday. 

During this season, I’ve mostly been home. Serving from home. Working from home. Wearing pretty much the same thing every day since that fateful early March day. Making the same meals, serving the same gorgeous people. 

I’ve not been exclusively at home: still Bible studying and churching and Costco-ing, but more often than not, I can be found in my kitchen/office wearing my stretchy jeans and long sleeved black shirt.

I’ve mostly been home and it is well with my soul. 

In reality, home is the main space where I’ve experienced the gospel my whole life. For so many years, the culture of our home was the primary influence in shaping my children and shaping myself. Together with our church space, our home was the space where we demonstrated the love of God and lived it out. Beautifully, messily, truly. 

As a child, I experienced the gospel through my grandparents in their kitchen. We went to church weekly, but I was shaped by their everyday life. In their home. 

There is something unique about living the gospel in the midst of emotionally charged moments with relationships we might take for granted. People who know us best. Our best selves and our worst. It plays out differently at home.

Our youngest daughter was married in 2021 and during her wedding ceremony, she and her young husband chose to take communion to the worship song “A Million Little Miracles” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

All my life, I've been carried by grace

Don't ask me how 'cause I can't explain

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I've got some blessings that I don't deserve

I've got some scars, but that's how you learn

It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I think it over and it doesn't add up

I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles

A million little miracles

Miracles on miracles

Count your miracles

One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

The “it is well with my soul” I’ve discovered here in my double nickel year is the culmination of miracles on miracles. Carried by grace. Undeservedly so.

Born from years of living out our unique redemptive story and faith journey by showing up every single day. Staying available. Slugging it out. Blowing on the embers of relationships in seasons of conflict and basking in the glow during seasons of peace. Depositing. Praying. Remaining open hearted and long-suffering. 

Forgiving. And forgiving again.  

Perhaps 2022 and beyond will find me out and about a little more. I’ll look back on this home bound season with gratitude.  Grateful for a small season to think it over, knowing it doesn’t add up. It absolutely comes from above. Miraclulously.