It used to “gross me out” as a youngster to see my dad douse his cottage cheese in Miracle Whip. To this day I can barely look at either, let alone put them in my mouth! I don’t even want to delve into how that disgusting, nauseating product got its name. It was probably some happenstance convergence of ingredients concocted by some biochemist in the Kraft lab. Some memories you just can’t shake. But I hope I can see, and help you see, that miracles don’t have to be big and showy. Sometimes they blend or are whipped   as evidence of God’s saving care. Again, I will refer to my dad as I recall a recent “miracle whip” in his life.

He and my stepmom (“MoMarian”) were returning home to Florida after visiting her son and family outside of Baltimore. In the rolling hills of West Virginia, my dad driving their truck which pulled their 16-foot camper, overturned, and rolled over into the median of a busy interstate highway. First miracle: neither of them was seriously hurt. Second miracle: no other vehicles involved. There were many other miracles in the whip, but another one is noteworthy. The next day in their hotel room, still dazed from the event, the state trooper who responded to the accident scene knocked on their door. He held a box which contained dad’s important items, papers, emergency cash. He always kept it in a hutch in the trailer. It had miraculously, inexplicably, landed in the grass where it was easily discovered. The whole situation could have been far more tragic and traumatic but for the hand of God. It confirmed a dream that dad had the night before, a clear message from God, that the time had come to give up this mode of traveling for them.

God is intertwined with nature yet transcends it. Sometimes He stages an intervention. Dad and I are convinced He did this with him. My dad’s deep faith has always inspired me. God’s miracles always have a purpose. God is not a trickster or huckster trying to razzle-dazzle us into belief. Miracles profoundly reveal His divine character. Draw close to God. Allow your faith and trust to deepen. In doing so, a whole new world of discovery will unfold. No longer will you chalk things up to mere happenstance, some mysterious concoction of hocus-pocus or sorcery. God is Lord of all, natural and supernatural. His love is unconditional and endless. He will put His angels in charge over you, guarding and protecting from the worst of all evils.

Pastor Art