Cultivating Gratitude: Finding Miracles and Overcoming Impatience with Faith
Life unfolds in grand gestures and quiet whispers. While I often share the sprawling narratives of my journey, it’s the silent affirmations resonating within my mind that truly define my perception of the world. A profound, simple mantra guides these moments of recognition, a heartfelt acknowledgment of a higher power and the subtle beauty around us: “I see you.”
This powerful phrase, repeated often and with deep sincerity, serves as a cornerstone of mindful living. It’s an active exercise in gratitude, a deliberate pause to witness the divine hand that orchestrates our experiences, often unnoticed in the relentless rush of daily life. It’s a recognition of grace in the mundane, a personal dialogue with the source of all blessings.
The Unseen Hand: Recognizing Miracles in Everyday Moments
Consider the unexpected. The other evening, a sudden, inexplicable impulse nudged me towards the smoker. Had I not listened, dinner would have been ruined, the temperature having soared dangerously high. A simple correction, prompted by an unseen whisper, saved our meal. In that moment, a wave of profound gratitude washed over me, a silent “I see you” acknowledging more than just fortunate timing, but a gentle, deliberate intervention.
Last year, we embarked on a significant venture: purchasing an investment property. The journey, fraught with potential pitfalls and complex decisions, was instead paved with a series of astounding occurrences, each one feeling less like coincidence and more like a testament to divine care. From securing the perfect location to navigating intricate financial hurdles, each step felt guided. “I see you,” echoed in my heart repeatedly, a profound sense of gratitude for each unfolding miracle, large and small, that smoothed our path.
And then there are the moments of breathtaking beauty that punctuate a long, arduous day. A perfect, luminous full moon hanging majestically in the night sky, casting its ethereal glow over a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming. It’s a vivid, silent reminder that amidst the struggles, beauty persists, a constant promise of enduring grace and hope. “I see you,” I whisper, my spirit uplifted, my perspective recalibrated, finding solace in the natural world as a reflection of divine order.
Recently, the announcement that our church could resume services, albeit with limited numbers, brought a wave of profound realization and a surge of humility. Amidst the global turmoil and uncertainty, I had, at times, overlooked the fundamental blessings: the freedom to practice our faith, a welcoming community to worship with, appliances that (mostly!) function, and the immeasurable gift of a healthy immediate family, while so many friends and extended family members fight for their very lives, literally. These are not small things; they are foundational pillars of our existence, worthy of constant acknowledgment. “I see you,” I affirm, with renewed humility and a surging sense of thanks for these tangible and spiritual comforts.
Gratitude, I believe, is often overcomplicated. It doesn’t require eloquent prose or meticulously crafted prayers stretching into grand declarations. Its true essence lies in a genuine twinkle in the eye, a head tilted slightly upward in acknowledging reverence, and a humble, loving, nodding smile accompanying those three powerful words: “I. SEE. YOU.” It’s a direct communication, a heartfelt acknowledgment to Heavenly Father: “I see what You just did there, and thank You.” This simple yet profound practice transforms the mundane into the miraculous, fostering a deeper connection and a richer appreciation for life’s abundant blessings.
The Internal Struggle: Overcoming the Battle of Impatience
My Personal Battle with Toddlerhood and Time
It seems almost absurd, a trivial concern compared to the grand challenges of the world, yet my struggle with impatience is a deeply personal and often frustrating battle. On some days, it leaves me profoundly exasperated with myself, questioning my capacity for calm and composure. Yesterday, for instance, involved a series of seemingly simple errands: essential blood work, a quick gift return to Target, followed by an entire afternoon dedicated to bike riding with the children. For many, this might sound like a pleasant, uneventful day, a picture of domestic bliss. For me, however, it invoked a familiar wave of underlying anxiety, a testament to the internal tug-of-war I constantly experience between my desire for peace and the reality of life’s demands.
I can almost hear the collective eye-rolls from seasoned parents and non-parents alike, and frankly, I’m right there with you. I know the well-meaning advice: “just breathe,” “forgive yourself.” And indeed, I try. I consciously practice self-forgiveness, knowing that perfection is an unattainable ideal. But the truth is, the root of my struggle runs deeper than a simple lack of mindfulness or self-compassion. The truth is, I am incredibly impatient, especially when navigating the world with young children, whose pace and priorities rarely align with my own.
The Unique Challenges of Toddler-Paced Living
The very act of getting a toddler into a car can become an epic saga, a test of wills and endurance. There’s the incessant fascination with the wheels, the non-stop chatter that prevents multitasking, the seemingly impossible task of simply buckling up. Every step is an exploration, every minute stretched into an eternity. Walks, intended to be refreshing and invigorating, frequently become painstaking journeys where every foot of progress involves stopping to dig in the dirt, meticulously inspect a leaf, or chase an imaginary butterfly. My heart actually constricts with anxiety just contemplating these common scenarios! The constant demands on patience, the unhurried pace, the inability to control the narrative—it’s a potent trigger for my internal struggle with impatience, constantly pushing the boundaries of my emotional reserves.
For a long time, my prayer wasn’t for patience itself, but for the awareness to recognize my impatience as it arose, hoping that mere recognition would empower me to adjust my reaction. I thought that simply acknowledging the feeling would be enough to bring about a change. Yet, as many parents of young children can attest, recognition alone often isn’t enough to quell the rising tide of frustration. The wellspring of irritation still bubbled, threatening to boil over despite my best intentions. I needed something more profound, a deeper anchor to hold onto, a spiritual and emotional shift that transcended simple self-awareness.
Drawing Strength from Ancient Faith: The Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
This morning, in a moment of quiet reflection, my mind turned to an ancient story, a powerful testament to unwavering faith: the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three young men, devout believers in God, faced an impossible decree from King Nebuchadnezzar: bow down and worship a golden idol, or face the terrifying fiery furnace. Their conviction, however, was unshakeable, rooted in a deep and abiding love for their Creator.
When confronted by the enraged king, who bellowed, “Do you not know I can cast you into the blazing furnace?! Who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”, their response was a beacon of profound faith and courageous surrender. They declared, not with defiance but with serene confidence, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” This was not just belief in God’s power, but an acceptance of His will, whatever the outcome. Their faith transcended their circumstances, a powerful lesson for our own struggles.
God’s Intervention and Enduring Hope in a Chaotic World
This world, in many ways, feels as insane and demanding as Nebuchadnezzar’s court. We face overwhelming challenges, both globally and personally, from societal unrest to individual anxieties. But just as those three boys had a God who could do anything, so do we. I recall the worldwide fasts held not long ago, a collective plea for divine intervention during a time of global crisis. And indeed, things did change for the better in many respects, demonstrating that collective faith and prayer can indeed move mountains and influence the course of events. While subsequent challenges, sometimes fueled by angry words and hearts, may have stalled progress in some areas, this does not diminish God’s infinite capacity to act. His timing and methods are often beyond our full comprehension, but His power remains absolute, and His love for us unwavering.
A God of Miracles, Even in Our Hearts
The same omnipotent God who miraculously spared Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the searing flames is just as intimately invested in my struggle to manage impatience as a mother. When I feel that internal fire burning, the exasperated shout rising within me, “Come on, get in the car!!!!”, it is this same God who is present, ready to offer solace and strength. Perhaps to some, this idea of God being concerned with such ‘small’ personal frustrations seems ridiculous, even trivial. But for me, it is everything. All I have ever truly wanted is a close-knit family, a home where love and snuggling reign supreme, where patience and understanding form the very foundation of our interactions, fostering peace and mutual respect.
This realization has become my new resolve, a powerful shift in perspective and practice. When I feel that sharpness rising, that impatience boiling, I am determined to conjure the image of King Nebuchadnezzar and the steadfast, unyielding faith of the three boys. In that moment of internal turmoil, I will consciously declare, not just as a prayer but as a powerful affirmation of belief: “My God is a God of miracles, even a miracle with my heart and tone.” And then, I will choose to believe in that transformative power, to actively invite it into my experience. This isn’t merely about managing a momentary reaction; it’s about inviting divine intervention into the very core of my being, seeking a miracle of character, of emotional resilience, and of spiritual growth.
This personal transformation, nurtured by unwavering faith and sustained by daily practice, is more than just individual growth. It’s a foundational step towards a broader healing for our communities and indeed, the world. It may not be a ‘COVID cure’ in the medical sense, but I profoundly believe that strong families—families built on love, patience, understanding, and an unwavering faith in something greater than themselves—are indeed a potent cure for many of the world’s deeper ailments. When our homes are havens of peace, mutual respect, and unconditional love, that light extends outwards, creating ripples of healing and hope in a fractured world. It all begins with those quiet acknowledgments, the simple phrase, “I see you,” and the unwavering belief in a God of miracles, both grand in scale and intimately personal.