Thunderstorms are part of life in the Midwest during the spring and summer months. Because these storms can pop up unexpectedly, one is wise to prepare for rain in advance. What steps would you take to prepare for rain? My first Midwest thunderstorm taught me that an umbrella is not adequate preparation!
There is a parable in the movie “Facing the Giants” that I’d like to paraphrase. Two farmers are in desperate need of rain. Both farmers pray to God to send the rain. But only one farmer goes out, works the field, and prepares for rain. Which farmer are you? God will send the rain when He’s ready, are your fields prepared to receive it?
What is a miracle?
One purpose of a parable is the ability to apply its doctrine in multiple ways depending on the situation. How does the parable of the farmers relate to God’s miracles in our daily lives? The dictionary says a miracle is “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” God works many miracles and throughout the scriptures, we read of numerous miracles performed by Christ and His servants.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we read that there is a diversity of gifts given to the children of God. The working of miracles is one of them. In 2 Nephi 27:23, it says: “For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.”
God is a God of Miracles
God will perform miracles in our lives when He’s ready. Will our spiritual eyes be open to see them? While working on researching our family history and finding our ancestors, our family has experienced many miracles which I will share in future posts. These are sacred experiences that have indelibly imprinted upon my soul that God is a God of miracles. To be the recipient of these miracles, we needed the desire to perform the work of researching names. We’ve spent vacations traveling to various locations thus dedicating time to the effort. We’ve prayed for guidance and help. Without these steps and others, we would not have been in the places where these miracles have occurred.
Over the years, I have seen many miracles. I pray for miracles to happen in my life, then I do my best to exercise faith to be prepared to receive it when it comes. President Russell M. Nelson teaches that we must “Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith.” God will manifest miracles in our lives according to our faith. Today, look for them, pray for them, then “work your fields” to be prepared to receive them. And when you witness a miracle, thank God for sending it to you.
