MIRACLE ON BELTWAY 8

Recognizing the Hand of God

If you live in Houston you will know what Beltway 8 is. Oddly enough it is the street I live on. It is actually a frontage road that runs along the Sam Houston Tollway. I'm a long way from New York, and it isn't Christmas but I was prompted to think about how sometimes miracles are all around us and have been for years.

I recently tried my hand at paint pouring art. It wasn't bad for a first attempt. My sister is encouraging me to do more and sell them. She showed me a photo of one that she and her husband bought recently. It was beautiful. I mentioned to her that I don't have funds to really explore the technique, but I do plan to continue to do what I can. She encouraged me further and gave me ideas on how to get inexpensive supplies. I also mentioned that I had yet another business idea. There are things that constrain me from pursuing a business at this time. I feel that my future holds some sort of business venture. What it might be, I do not know.

I listen to this podcast every day. The presenter talks about how God has blessed him in the most unusual and unexpected ways recently. He needed new equipment for his business and out of the blue someone contacted him and bought him the best equipment he could ask for. Whenever he has a need, God supplies and he is astonished each and every time. That is what I think will happen when I am ready for God to show me what His plans are. It won't be anything that I cause to happen. It will be all HIM. That is how HE gets the glory.

These are the miracles I am talking about. Sometimes we think miracles are about healing, but they can be anything. How sad that we miss them because we are too busy pursuing things and trying to make things happen that aren't where God wants us. I did that with 3D modeling. I really enjoyed learning the program and creating all sorts of things. But, since I started writing this blog I haven't been able to create anything interesting in 3D. I don't have any new ideas or any inspiration at all. I still watch the tutorial videos to keep up with the newest software, but it doesn't draw me in, like it did.

Writing this blog and Imagining Jesus on a daily basis seems to have refocused my life. That is a miracle. While I was looking for someone to see my artwork and call me out of the blue for that "job of a lifetime", God had another plan. I told my sister that I am depending on God for everything these days, and especially for leading. If He wants me to own a business, then the opportunity will be there, and I will know that is God's design. Every idea I have gets logged and developed, so that I can refer back to it should I need to. I don't want to be so caught up in pursuing something that I miss the miracle when it happens. I have spent a lifetime missing the miracles because I've been pursuing other things.

Imagine Jesus carrying a box full of miracles. He waits for the right moment to make it happen, but then imagine me too busy, too worried, too obsessed, or upset to notice. That's tragic. My life has slowed down and I notice a lot more tiny miracles every day. I used to only see them when I was at the end of my rope crying out for help. I no longer dangle from the end of ropes. I am on a steady hike, eyes forward, not looking back. Jesus at my side and a spring in my step. Well, most days. I am not perfect you know!

I Imagine Jesus and I laughing together. Those are the times that I love the most. His Joy at our relationship fills me and brings meaning to my mother's favorite verse. "The Joy of the Lord is your strength." The Joy of the Lord is the miracle of every day. I didn't use to understand the words. They didn't make sense. How can someone else's joy strengthen me? When you are resting in the Lord, trusting in Him, at times when you need strength He brings Joy. Sometimes that joy springs up unexpectedly like a sweet silent miracle. Its a gift that God puts in your heart at just the right time and it strengthens you.

Don't miss the miracles. Every one of them is tailor made just for you. They will astound you, if you let them.

Psalm 46:10 "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."