The Miraculous Influence of a…

Drayton Hawthorn, a good friend recently wrote describing tense moments they experienced while waiting for his wife’s surgery: Ten o'clock at night and she was outside looking at the stars! I thought it was settled and done. Robin’s surgery was a few short days away and although the doctors assured her this was a routine procedure, she was still looking as if they were going to amputate something! As her husband, I assumed my duty was to hide concern while showing a strong front. Like most men, I substituted statistics and reason for assurance and thought it was enough. Now she was worrying again. I walked toward her ready to offer more of my male logic.

That’s when the miracle happened…

Everything I was going to say vanished. Unknown words came from my lips, as I silently wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “God loves you. Everything will be all right. You will see a shooting star as my promise that you will be ok.”  In an instant the most spectacular shooting star we have ever seen blazed across the sky from horizon to horizon. A surprised and delighted, “Ooh!” came from Robin! For a long moment neither of us spoke. What could we say?

Moments before, I was an insensitive, scolding husband walking towards a fearful, anxious wife. Somehow, God miraculously intervened and changed us both into vessels of His gracious love.

Most of the time, our influence as a lighthouse is seen through a steady, consistent beam of light. People know and remember us by our day-to-day actions among our family and friends. There is the mother or father who continuously offers love and acceptance. Maybe it’s a boss who offers encouragement when you need it most or a friend who telephones when you’re at a low point.

Occasionally, there are life-changing moments when God’s extraordinary light shines where it’s needed most and the only word that adequately describes what happens is… miracle. As Easter nears we are reminded of God’s greatest miracle. Jesus Christ is risen!

What started, as a normal day at our local high school became a tragedy for Van Lee, a young boy full of enthusiasm and friendly mischief. One afternoon during tennis practice he suddenly dropped to the ground clutching his chest. Within minutes Van Lee was gone. Lighthouses quickly appeared from all over the county. School officials opened up the high school auditorium and encouraged the students to gather there. A minister’s wife got word to fellow pastors. The students themselves began to gather in small groups sharing memories, tears and prayers.

But, just as we were starting to leave, Russell Yancey, a father of one of the students quietly stood and said: “Before we go, I think we should pray. Let’s form a circle and hold hands. I’ll start and the rest of you please join me.” Hundreds of crying parents, students, pastors and school officials formed a giant circle, bowed their heads and earnestly began to pray. For a few moments, we could all feel the Holy Spirit of God in our circle of mourners: A miracle amidst grief.    

Drayton Hawthorne went on to write: Being an instrument of God’s will, at times may not be voluntary or even expected. I always believed God would use me as a prophet only if I asked and was spiritually clean. Sometimes, this is undeniably true but not in my case. God abruptly interrupted my mission and lovingly substituted His own. I wanted to comfort Robin with common sense and almost interrupted a miraculous moment of faith. No matter the reason for why it happens, when God, uses you for whatever purpose, you will feel blessed because of it.

Thinking of that wonderful moment Robin and I shared with God is very emotional for me. Several times in telling our shooting star story Robin would need to finish because I would become too “choked up” so I will let her once again finish… After we stood there a few moments just soaking in what had just happened. I turned to Drayton and whispered, “Do it again!”