Dr. Mary C. McDonald
High drama makes for great movies and TV soap operas; however, it is not necessarily something I would choose to shape the events of my own life. During the first few days of February 1996, the unlikely elements of the chaos theory mixed together with the culture of hope to produce, out of apparent disorder, what seemed to be a miracle to rival that of the marriage feast of Cana.
Our daughter’s wedding day was heralded by the prediction of six to eight inches of snow to be added to the still frozen accumulation already on the ground. In Memphis, even a hint of a chance of snow is grounds for panic. Guests coming from five countries, sixteen states and right here in Memphis operated with the fuzzy logic that grows out of yet unrealized possibilities. We all proceeded. I knew that the drastic changes in plans that might be called for would in no way diminish the young couple’s lifelong commitment to each other. However, of all the possible outcomes to any wedding, I would have gladly traded snow in Memphis for running out of wine in Cana.
The night before the wedding many friends and family members were gathered at our house, listening to the latest forecasts. Every TV station carried the same dire prediction; Memphis was in the line of fire for a direct hit by a fierce winter storm that was rapidly approaching. All of those gathered around the TV looked at me as if I had a solution, an idea, a hook to hang hope on. It was way out of my league. I don’t do weather. “There is only one thing to do”, I said, “pray”. So we stopped, and prayed for that enclave of goodness in the general chaos, a miracle.
It was through prayer that we could let go of possible outcomes, and embrace the impossible. If Jesus chose a wedding, a very ordinary event, at which to perform His first miracle, then our common, everyday events must be important to Him. Perhaps He would choose another wedding in need of a miracle now. It was at Jesus’ mother Mary’s suggestion that he changed the water into wine at Cana. I believed that through our prayers for Divine intervention, Mary would suggest that He change six to eight inches of snow into a sunny day. So I prayed, “Tell Him they have no sun.”
On February 3, 1996, there was a miracle at another wedding feast. In spite of the fact that record-breaking winter storms engulfed the country, and snow and ice surrounded our city, there seemed to be a wall around Memphis, and the prediction of a 100% chance of snow and ice did not come true. The sun came out. It melted the ice that had accumulated on the ground, and melted the hearts of anyone who did not believe in miracles. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. On their way to Memphis at 7 A.M. that morning, three dear friends stopped on I-40 to take a picture of the sun coming up over the frosty fields outside of Memphis. That picture still hangs on a wall in our Den where we all stopped to pray the night before the wedding. It is a dramatic reminder of life, and hope, and God’s goodness in the dead of winter.
God’s miracles are not limited to weddings. You limit our chance to experience His miracles when you deny your culture of faith and hope and prayer, and the importance of that faith and hope and prayer in your everyday life. Pray unceasingly. Pray for the strength to honor the absoluteness of the marriage vow. Pray for the fortitude to parent your children grounded in wisdom, truth, and love. Pray for the courage to exemplify for others the constancy of the values of family life, and to encourage others by your example of faith and hope. Pray for the healing of mind, body and spirit so desperately needed for yourself, or others. Pray for that divisive situation at your work, or in your family, that is causing pain for so many. Pray to find employment, to find acceptance, to find peace. Even if you think there is no way, pray, and trust God to make a way.
It is the words of Jesus Himself that strengthen your faith. When the blind men came to him and asked for healing, Jesus said, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They responded, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes and said, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” (Matt 9:28-30) Pray also for the wisdom to give God the final decision on all your prayers, and your plans. I cannot begin to understand the depth of the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. I only know that He loves us, delights in doing things for us, and asks nothing more than trust from us. We all have stories of God’s surprises, His miracles, in our lives. Freely share your miracles. There are plenty more where they came from, and, sometimes, they even happen at wedding feasts.
