What Are Miracles & When Do We Know They Are Here?
EDITED:
Hanukah, we are told is a time for miracles. As the story is discloses, these eight days commemorate the Maccbean victory over Antochius of Syria more than 20 centuries ago. As they were going to to cleanse and rededicate the Temple, the Macabees found only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for one day. Unknown to them a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight nights. Henceforth, when we light our menorahs, we are reminded of these mysteries and miracles and celebrate their occurrence.
But it leads me to a question, as always, which is, what is a miracle, how does is it defined, recognized, and how shall we give thanks for them? Is a something so profound, and of such a large scale to be defined exclusively in large terms such as what happened during Maccabean victory over Antochius, or can a miracle be something smaller, and even of a personal nature? Can one conclude that a miracle takes place for instance when someone with a cold heart or evil inclination turns around to do a kind act? Is it a miracle when we want something to happen so badly, and it turns out only as we wish it to be? Or can a miracle be a child taking her first steps? Can it be defined as someone who has the disease of alcoholism, leading a life of recovery today? Is it a miracle when someone is ill and recovers?
For me, miracles do not have to be those grandiose acts, but can in fact be small in form, anything that one may not expect to happen, but does, that has the power to transform and illuminate our lives, even something that can allow us to change, become a better, kinder or even stronger human beings.
This past Friday, my daughter was unable to sit and have Hanukkah and Shabbath dinner with us, but when I lit the candles, and began reading from from the prayerbook, I could see her responding to our words in the other room, feeling her joy, as if, at that moment, the true meaning and spirit of the holiday was descending upon our home. For me, although small, that act was miraculous in nature.
What are some of the miracles that you have experienced, and how have they affected your lives?
Let me thank the fellow blogger, Pragmatician, for his kind email and inquiry, and allowing me to think about this subject for a post today.
As an afterthought, I think a good act of charity, or kindness, would be to go to a blog of someone whom you do not communicate with so much these days, have perhaps been unkind to in the past, or maybe owe an amends to for something, and wish him/her well for the season. You will be amazed how good you feel afterwards!
Thank you for your minds.
Hanukah, we are told is a time for miracles. As the story is discloses, these eight days commemorate the Maccbean victory over Antochius of Syria more than 20 centuries ago. As they were going to to cleanse and rededicate the Temple, the Macabees found only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for one day. Unknown to them a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight nights. Henceforth, when we light our menorahs, we are reminded of these mysteries and miracles and celebrate their occurrence.
But it leads me to a question, as always, which is, what is a miracle, how does is it defined, recognized, and how shall we give thanks for them? Is a something so profound, and of such a large scale to be defined exclusively in large terms such as what happened during Maccabean victory over Antochius, or can a miracle be something smaller, and even of a personal nature? Can one conclude that a miracle takes place for instance when someone with a cold heart or evil inclination turns around to do a kind act? Is it a miracle when we want something to happen so badly, and it turns out only as we wish it to be? Or can a miracle be a child taking her first steps? Can it be defined as someone who has the disease of alcoholism, leading a life of recovery today? Is it a miracle when someone is ill and recovers?
For me, miracles do not have to be those grandiose acts, but can in fact be small in form, anything that one may not expect to happen, but does, that has the power to transform and illuminate our lives, even something that can allow us to change, become a better, kinder or even stronger human beings.
This past Friday, my daughter was unable to sit and have Hanukkah and Shabbath dinner with us, but when I lit the candles, and began reading from from the prayerbook, I could see her responding to our words in the other room, feeling her joy, as if, at that moment, the true meaning and spirit of the holiday was descending upon our home. For me, although small, that act was miraculous in nature.
What are some of the miracles that you have experienced, and how have they affected your lives?
Let me thank the fellow blogger, Pragmatician, for his kind email and inquiry, and allowing me to think about this subject for a post today.
As an afterthought, I think a good act of charity, or kindness, would be to go to a blog of someone whom you do not communicate with so much these days, have perhaps been unkind to in the past, or maybe owe an amends to for something, and wish him/her well for the season. You will be amazed how good you feel afterwards!
Thank you for your minds.
18 Comments:
I have studied "A Course in Miracles" where a miracle is defined as a "change in perception."
A miracle, is when something happens that runs contrary to the obvious natural (or perceived as such) course.
I think that what we call 'nature' is by itself miraculous.
I think we fail to appreciate it as such.
But I've got to tell you Barbara, I really do see miracles on a daily basis. They say thaqt if you want to see the revealed hand of G-d, work for a charity. I do and I do!!!
There is so much, unexplained, that can be concluded to be miraculous in my humble opinion.
As for doing charity, each day I find at least one act to do, for someone, whether it be in the form of giving money, donations of clothing, a helping hand, an unsolicited smile, or a kind act. Charity comes in many forms, as our Torah says.
Even kind words, unsolicited, especially when someone is ill, or in need of comfort can be construed as charity.
Changing a critical word into a kind one can work wonders on someone....
Hi Barbara,
I hope your daughter recovers quickly.
You were right on when you said a miracle is, "anything that one may not expect to happen." When I look form that perspective many miracles happen in my life.
I think there're miracles all over. Every breath we take, every move we make...;)
But seriously, that's why we thank G-d even after we use the bathroom. Becuase even such a seemingly base thing is a miracle - it shows us that all of our parts work...which is miraculous!
Thank you for your kind salutations regarding my daughter. I too hope she recovers quickly.
TRW, you are a very spiritual woman, I can tell from your writings. It is true, there are many prayers in the Siddur, acts that one may conclude are common, but are not so much so, but are truly miraculous, for which we give thanks, and give proper blessings.
beautiful message, I agree with your outlook on this.
The simple fact that we can appreciate small miracles is infinitely wonderful.
It helps recognize the good in our sometimes difficult moments.
Perspective, and gratitude can indeed transform our attitude about what is coming and going around us.
Happy Hanukah to you and yours Barbara! I hope everything is good for you.
I looked it up at m-w.com because I seem to remember it being linked somehow to a spectacle. (Blame it on Barry Manilow. Make that a TRUE BLUE spectacle.)
Anyhoo, here's what it said:
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin miraculum, from Latin, a wonder, marvel, from mirari to wonder at.
So a baby taking her first steps is indeed a miracle, in spite of its inevitability. Or as The Onion once put it: "Miracle of Birth Occurs for Six Billionth Time." :-)
Good to see some of old blogging buddies here!
Dictionary definitions are always good, in that they can give direction to something.
Shy, welcome to my blog. I am so sorry to hear about your son, and will truly keep his good health in my thoughts and prayers.
I think you and I think about the same on miracles....I think, that if we just open our eyes, that we can see miracles all around us...
To me, it's a miracle, that the space shuttle can get off the ground, as heavy as it is, and fly way out into space and come back.
I was able to witness my granddaughters birth and that was a true miracle from God....
We need to be thankful for all the miracles that God sends us...
Happy Hanaukh to you and your family......
Although I might not always refer to the blessings in my life as miracles - they certainly do qualify. As you know, there are sometimes seemingly hopeless conditions we are faced with - hopeless states of mind and body - for which a spiritual solution is the only way to recover. It was the last thing I tried and the first thing that worked.
As I have gained perspective, I can recognize miracles from the past - unmerited and unwarranted grace that as far as I'm concerned can only be spiritual in nature. That is not to say that all I had to do was sit idle and wait for the miracles occur.
Indeed, the miracle often is as simple as the ability and the willingness of doing the work. I spent most of my life finding ways and means to avoid any real effort or commitment. By short-cutting the process, I missed the miracle. Fortunately, although I never used to have any faith in God, he had faith in me - and never gave up. God did not find me - I found him.
Thank you Barbara - for being part of the miraculous transformation my life has become. Though we've never met in person, on a spiritual (not religious) level, we are of the same ilk. My best to you and your family,
Mike
Yes, I suppose all blessings can be construed as miracles in some way or another.
Thank you, Mike. I too feel a special kindship with you, and think of you as someone with a beautiful heart.
Working with animals allows me many opportunities to witness miracles that transcend the bounds of human understanding. Today, a lady, whom I had a distaste for, as she was brash, demanding, and at times selfish in her presumptions, and more than once we had less than warm exchanges,,turned my heart around. Her beloved companion of 15 years recently had to be put to sleep, and she came into the hospital to return food that would not be eaten by her sweet dog. She told of a dream she had the night before , stroking her dogs hair, and I saw the tears well up in her eyes,, and fought my own, knowing my thoughts that were less than nice at times towards her,,
I watched her leave, and my heart went out to her like I thought it might never be able to do, my remorse at my self was immense, yet somewhere in that sight, I felt a miracle,,, don't know what it was, but I am sure there was one there.... most likely it was the 'miracle' of feeling compassion for someone whom I thought I would never feel such an outpouring of emotion.
I think I was changed somehow in that moment.
Small miracle,, but still one in my book.
I think I am going to be the one lone, grump left to say that a miracle is something that is out of the norm, and exceptional to experience.
I hear too many people saying that birth is a miracle, life is a miracle, this is a miracle, that is a miracle, and it cheapens the concept.
When I walk into my home and see Jeff Goldblum standing there, naked, with a bow on, I'll call that a miracle.
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