God’s miracle is abundant and can be found everywhere. It’s for everyone who believes in its magic and for those who never lose hope that it will come in their way soon.
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Many people really believe in miracles but don’t really know how to get one good miracle in their life. It is a common notion that God provides that miracle but many are wrong in expecting that God Himself will bring that miracle into one’s life. And, in the current and common notion on miracle, winning the lotto jackpot is all that matters. I feel sad because it seems having a better life will only start from winning the lotto. If only one goes back to reality and history of life and miracles, lotto was never there.
I will relay one good story about miracles from simple work. Surely, one will have a different perspective and will eventually change their point of view about miracle. This story happened just recently.
OLD AND SICK PEOPLE ARE BETTER IN GOD’S EYES
Many are looking and waiting for a miracle from God. Many prayers evolved in winning the lotto and in gratitude, promised to build churches and do good deeds. Without the first, the latter will never materialize. Many have lost hope and some even died without having seen that chance of helping people or building a church because only a few of those who prayed to win the lotto has actually won.
But our group of friends chooses to spend their extra money, time, and strength better than doing senseless things. We always value these little things that we have like our hard earned money and that little time we have to be spent in more valuable things that are not just for our self but for others as well.
I pity those who exert too much effort in gym, run and walk several kilometers of streets in Manila in the early morning just to shed perspiration. They gain something for their self and maybe for some but at the end of the day, there was no miracle; a plain and simple work for self ends for self alone.
I and my group opted to device things and matters that make simple things turn into a miracle to others. Unexpectedly, we experience miracles as well. We are a group of family and friends who value all the things we have. We don’t let others do good things nor do it within our comfort zone alone.
Like the others, we also look for some new things, new adventures, and new heights in our routine life. We want to do simple things in a very creative and productive way. We created a scheme of putting all together – sweating, doing good deeds, and bonding with family and friends – into one event in just a very short period of time.
Our last project proves us right again. For a short period of time we scouted an area and a possible project that we can do. And, finally we decided we found one; a small chapel located in Dasmariñas, Cavite. We observed the chapel and learned it was a Catholic house of prayer. The chapel needed a make-over because during rainy days, the water comes from up above and down below into the chapel. From up because water leaks from the roof that is in a dilapidated status; from down because water flows in from all corners of the floor having it built in the lowest part of the area.
We decided to spend our valuable time and money to help the church and the community. Combining all our logistics and strength, we scheduled to elevate the flooring of the church half a meter from its original low elevation. And, with all surprise and amazement, the church organizers in the community cannot believe what is happening. They labeled us as a gift sent by God for them. But we humbly oppose that and say we are just a group of people wanting to do something productive to the community.
Our entire shirt was soaked in sweat; our bonding moment was great with friends and family; and our money was spent for a noble purpose and most of all is that we did it for God. We did it with an understanding from the area leader that we will not be known to them and to the community. Never are we after publicity or any other ulterior motives. We believe in the Bible verse that says, “do not let the other hand know the good deeds the other hand is doing; let the Father in Heaven know it and be the one to thank you and bless you.” We believe on this as simple as it is written. So we are nameless individuals doing simple things and for others it was called a miracle.
But that is not the main story. The main story is the people from the community. Many have watched and many have talked and commented out of amazement. But very few have joined us to do things for themselves. A group of five or six old, smiling ladies in their weakness used all their might to put loose soil to elevate the floor. One sickly boy and one hardworking young man carried the load, joining our family and friends in fulfilling the task. Aside from them, nobody else dared to lift a hand for a good cause in their own area; a sad reality of the spiritual life of man.
We believe that our hands are not just only for prayer or for holding beaded rosary but to use it in changing something bad to good if not better. Our hands are not only joined in singing religious songs during mass but also in building a house of prayer for those who seek God in prayer.
Our hard earned money is not spent in enrolling in a gym or paying entrance fee for a fun run to sweat but to buy materials for changing peoples’ lives. I am touched when my son donated his school allowance to buy cement. He is willing to let go a couple of days allowance and walk his way home from school to buy a bag of cement in support of my cause. A small act of kindness but part of the miracle I witness in my life. I also saw my other son who exerted so much effort to carry the heavy load of dirt and cement whereas he uses that kind of effort only on a basketball court. I also saw the desire of one of my protégée to help but sadly he cannot for he was injured from an accident yet he still managed to be present on site to support the group.
Many are weak but gain strength because they are motivated with the belief that a simple deed is indeed a miracle from God for others. Other friends and family opted to join us with ample amount of financial help which turned that amount so valuable to God. All of these simple things are now God’s miracle to those who witnessed what transpired in that area which will surely change the spiritual lives of the community.
Some say there are shy to join; but it is more shameful letting go of the opportunity to show God what you are made of. Some waited for monetary compensations to help themselves. They forgot that if they themselves cannot help themselves freely, then who else will?
Simple things can be turned into a miracle. A small amount of money can buy a miracle if spent for the betterment of others. The weak can be strong with one leap of faith. The old can be young when they do things with a smile. Man can be angels from heaven when they present themselves to fellow men in service to others for the glory of God.