{"id":301,"date":"2018-04-11T12:07:51","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T12:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.booksbytesajones.com\/?p=301"},"modified":"2018-05-26T15:58:35","modified_gmt":"2018-05-26T15:58:35","slug":"mini-miracles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booksbytesajones.com\/?p=301","title":{"rendered":"Mini Miracles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"I experienced two mini miracles today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moments like this, I normally don\u2019t share; however, my friends and family were a part of it \u2013 so I want them to know — and perhaps you will find some comfort too.<\/p>\n

Today, in spite of the beautiful sunny morning — I got a late start \u2013 I felt a bit of heaviness in my heart \u2013 missing loved ones<\/strong> \u2013 and moving slowly. Consequently, I chose to go to the 10:55 Connect Service instead of the 9:30 traditional one.<\/p>\n

As I drove to church, I was listening to an \u201coldie but goodie\u201d on the radio. The next song played didn\u2019t interest me; thus, I started tapping the channel button . . . one, two, three times because I didn\u2019t want to listen to commercials. I was about to tap it a fourth time when a familiar tune filled the air.<\/p>\n

\"\"Instantly, I was captivated.<\/strong> The melody and lyrics of \u201cThe Old Rugged Cross\u201d filled the car and enveloped me with a wistful \u2013 yet wonderfully warm — sensation. You see \u2013 \u201cThe Old Rugged Cross\u201d was my daddy\u2019s favorite song. When I was a child — standing next to my father in church — he loved to belt out the words. Daddy couldn’t carry a tune, and he was never on key \u2013 but that didn\u2019t keep the joy from his expression. For that reason, \u201cThe Old Rugged Cross\u201d<\/strong> was played at my father\u2019s funeral .<\/p>\n

He has been gone almost twenty-four years. Some days — it feels like yesterday \u2013 and the pain is still raw. Hearing that song today filled my heart with nostalgic memories.<\/strong> Not five seconds after the song came on the radio, my eyes filled with tears \u2013 some happy \u2013 some sentimental \u2013 some sad. Moments later, they were streaming done my cheeks.<\/p>\n

I was thankful when I arrived safely in the church parking lot. After taking a few deep breaths to gain composure, I went into the Fellowship Hall \u2013 the first people I saw were dear friends of mine.\u00a0 Within a minute, they told me about the soloist’s amazing performance at the 9:30 service \u2013 you guessed it<\/strong> \u2013 he sang \u201cThe Old Rugged Cross\u201d. Part of me was disappointed I had missed it \u2013 yet another part of me was 100% certain I would have had a meltdown if I had witnessed his version of the poignant song.<\/p>\n

Obviously \u2013 whether in church or in my car — I was destined to hear my daddy\u2019s favorite song today.<\/strong> To be honest . . . I needed to feel him \u2013 hear him \u2013 remember him . . . and \u2013 guess what — my father was there. I could FEEL him.<\/p>\n

Thank you, Daddy! Thank you, God, for giving me this uplifting sign when I needed it most.<\/p>\n

\"\"The second mini miracle<\/strong> unfolded over the course of a week.\u00a0 I will preface this anecdote by spotlighting a very special group of women \u2013 we fondly call ourselves SPPs (Sweet Potato Princesses \u2013 don\u2019t ask \u2013 it\u2019s a long story \"\"\ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the SPPs — was a kind, loving, wonderful woman; sadly, she passed away a few months ago. We miss her dearly.<\/p>\n

Last week \u2013 I was having flashbacks about our SPP friend. To curb the sadness, I decided to wear the unique scarf she had given each of us several years ago (for Christmas.) Ironically, while I was out shopping, I stumbled upon the exact scarf hanging on the rack. There was only one.<\/strong>\u00a0 I knew she had originally purchased it from a small boutique in Kitty Hawk, NC and was surprised to see the scarf sold in my hometown. I was convinced that my discovery was a sign from above and our dear friend was smiling upon us; consequent\"\"ly, I asked the sales clerk to take a picture of me holding the scarf. I later shared the picture with my girlfriends via an email. Of course, all of them were touched by the symbolic gesture. However, one of the girls wrote back \u2013 \u201cI\u2019ve lost mine,” she said. “Is there any chance you can go back to the store and buy it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Six days had passed since the incident. I highly doubted the scarf was still there \u2013 but after church \u2013 with excitement rising inside of me \u2013 I went to the store. Unfortunately, as I approached the shelves \u2013 my anticipation changed to disappointment. <\/strong>The scarf was not where I\u2019d left it. I turned to leave. Something \u2013 I am not sure what \u2013 pulled me back and inspired me to look more closely. As I rounded the corner and began to sift through the merchandise. There it was!<\/strong> Needless to say \u2013 I purchased it and mailed it to my friend who had lost hers.<\/p>\n

\"\"I don\u2019t get to see my girlfriends as much as I use to in those days when we all lived within a few minutes of each other. Two of us have gone to be with Our Maker and many of us have moved away. Busy schedules and distance prevent us from gathering, but we have our pictures, our videos, and \u2013 of courses \u2013 our memories. Sometimes those tangible gifts we gave each other help keep our memories vivid and our hearts full. They are gentle reminders of the strength and beauty of friendship!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Today \u2013 I was given a flood of beautiful, sweet memories of family and friends. Thank you, God \u2013 for the \u201cmini miracles\u201d in my life \u2013 You brightened my day.<\/p>\n

Sorry for rambling \u2013 I feel so blessed \u2013 I simply had to share.\u00a0 When you miss a loved one, do you wear something special to ease the pain in your heart?\u00a0 Are you open to seeing signs from above?\u00a0 Do you have a mini miracle in your life you would like to share?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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