Sometimes Miracles Are...

Hello ♡,

My husband has a strong aversion to word art. You know the kind. Big scripts that makes up framed quotes or meaningful sentiments. They are often painted in some artistic way. There is only one problem with his aversion, I am more on the obsessive side with word art. If I had my way, I would have big word art all over my house - a meaningful phrase for each room in the house, even a funny one in the bathroom. And of course one that says “laundry” or something cute by the washing machine in case we forget where we are. (Don’t worry we equally compromise with all our preferences and aversions, it goes both ways.)

Seeing that we are so misaligned on this type of art, I have found a way to honor his boundaries and still try to have some words surrounding our days. All around the house, there are tiny pretty frames or quote boxes full of poignant thoughts that one can choose from. These we can agree on. (This is not a paid advertisement, but this is a store I love to buy my tiny word art from, and my hope is to one day have my book on their shelf! Sugarboo and Co.)

I have two pieces on the windowsill above our kitchen sink, I like to look at them often, and I hope they encourage my kids’ friends as they rummage for snacks and drinks in the kitchen. One says, “Courage, dear heart" (C.S. Lewis).

The other is a little glass box of quotes. You know when you get stuck on a song and listen to it over and over again for a season? That is me with one of the quote cards in this box. It reads, “Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.”

I read it everyday when I am washing dishes or pouring something out in the sink. I glance at it when I walk by. And I haven’t wanted to change it, to pick one of the quotes behind it. And here’s why:

We are often taught that miracles are everything going well. Or something bad turning good. Or the good thing happening. Or the crisis averted. Or getting good news when we feared the bad. And yes, those are miracles. Of course they are. And I celebrate each and every one. But in most ordinary lives, the miracles that happen every day are less flashy. And sometimes we miss them.

You see, stuff happens. Prayers go unanswered, at least in the way we prefer. Life is a lot for everyone, even people who are “doing great.” And no, it isn’t all the same. But stuff happens, big and small, for everyone I meet and know.

I also see up close the damage we humans can do to one another. Whether it is in my therapy work or in my personal relationships. I hear how they don’t ever call their grown kids, but never take accountability for their role in the relationship. I see how the deepest injuries of betrayal can be from the ones trusted the most. Or that simply a lack of interest in someone you say you love can also break a heart. I see the missed opportunities to check on someone who is struggling. I see how often a doctor, or their staff, treats patients like they’re not fully human. Families are torn apart by disagreements. I see how people say they care but don’t really show up. I see the hurt. I know you do too.

And that makes the miracle of kind people even more impactful.

I am wowed by my daughter’s new friends, and their moms. They are just so….kind. I am moved by my son’s best friend’s mom, she is so…kind. The tree guy who came to survey our fallen tree…so kind. The receptionist at the office…so kind. The lack of edge or condescension in their voices. The friend that calls to check on you when texting would be easier. The openness and warmth. The interest and curiosity. The kindness. It’s really stunning.

I am wowed by soft people. Not soft spoken to be clear, but soft hearted. The kind of people who just really give a damn, and see you, and also let you see them. The kind that ask about you too, not just share their own monologues. The kind that say thank you. The warmth from one heart to yours.

In a world, and country, that wants to tear itself apart, this to me is a miracle too.

And as much as I still like big miracles, and yes I pray for them too, I love these small miracles. The miracle of one another.

And as much as I like my big word art (don’t worry I have some up in my writing space), I like the small quiet voice of these words. Like a little whisper. Like a little reminder. This too is a miracle. You too are a miracle when you are kind to someone. This too gives us hope.

Sometimes miracles are you. Me. Us. Being kind and good hearted to one another.

With you.

Monica