The way He spared a two year old girl in our homeschool group this week who was found nearly drowned in the bathtub. She was rushed to the ER and was unconscious. Hundreds of people started praying. The next day she "woke up" and there were no signs of brain damage. God's mercy was written all over that girl.
The way He miraculously delivered a clean bill of health to a friend's family member after he had his toe amputated for melanoma.
Obviously God. Obviously merciful.
But then there are the daily mercies. The ones that are subtle. The ones that may slip through the radar if we don't have our spiritual antennas up. The ones that whisper in His still, small voice, "I am here. I am listening. I am for you."
As a mom, I am often sending up many prayers on behalf of my kids. Jonathan's basketball season is just one of my prayer concerns. I don't ask that he become a super athlete. I just pray that he would grow in His knowledge of God through the experience. That God would work through his coaches. And that the Lord would be glorified above all.
One day recently, Jonathan sat at the kitchen table in a contemplative mood while I was making dinner. He said, "You know, Mom, I will never get the Best Offense star."
After every game, the coaches hand out star awards to the players. A blue star for Best Effort. A red star for Best Defense. A gray star for Best Offense. A gold star for Good Sportsmanship. A green star for Scripture Memory. And then there's the White Star: Christlikeness. Jonathan knew that the White Star was the most honorable one to receive. He was happy to be awarded one at his first game. But that wasn't on his mind this time.
I replied, "Why don't you think you'll get a Best Offense star?"
He said, "I don't get the ball a lot, and even if I did I wouldn't make a basket."
Jonathan has yet to make a basket during a game. He's grown a lot in his basketball skills and is becoming more assertive. He has made many baskets during practices but not yet during a game.
My heart ached for him. I said something--don't recall what--to encourage him to just play the best game he could. He nodded, "I know, the main thing is that I have fun and do my best." He gave me a little smile. I said a silent prayer.
A few days later, we were sitting in the gym watching yet another game. Jonathan played well. He hustled. Saved the ball a couple of times. Made a nice pass or two. He was having fun.
After the game, the players sat around the table waiting for the awards. Usually Jonathan is nonchalant about whatever star he receives. The coach announced, "And for an awesome game, for making some nice passes and hustling out there, the Best Offense star goes to....JONATHAN!"
Jonathan couldn't believe his ears. He jumped up to receive his gray star and came running over to me. "Mom, did you hear that? I won the Best Offense star!" He wanted me to immediately pin it onto his shirt. We grinned goofily at each other and didn't have to say anything more. We both knew.
Obviously God. Obviously merciful.
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
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