We all love a good miracle. Not quite sure who gets to name an event a miracle but the two most memorable in my lifetime were: The Miracle on the Hudson when pilot Sully Sullenberger Landed a disabled Jetliner on the Hudson River in New York; and the Miracle on Ice when the underdog 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team beat the Russians to win the Olympic Gold Medal.

Looking up the word miracle I found a number of similar definitions: First, a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency; Second, that which causes wonder and astonishment, being extraordinary in itself and amazing or inexplicable by normal standards; and finally, a divine intervention that transcends what is normally perceived as natural law, and so to say, it cannot be explained upon any natural basis.

In our modern-day advertising, the word miracle is a little overused. We describe someone as a miracle worker because they seem to have the ability to achieve success in something where other people have failed; Everyone’s favorite movie, Miracle on 34th Street; Miracle Babies, those bundles of joy that defy all odds; and then there is Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals; Miracle-Ear, Miracle Flights, Miracle Pottery, and of course, Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl, Idaho, a geothermal oasis that sounds like a place we should all visit.

We do it too, that is, call something a miracle. We see or hear about something happening we perceive to be impossible or an event in our life or someone else’s that occurs and it has no explanation, we would say “It’s a Miracle”

Back when we started this journey, the loss of taste was one constant side effect that every Doctor we spoke with said Suzanne would experience. During her Radiation & Chemotherapy in the fall of 2020, her oncologist would shake his head as Suanne shared what she ate that week and how it tasted. Then in February of 2021, her Surgeon explained that she would lose most of her tongue, eating would become difficult and her sense of taste would dramatically change. Since then, every doctor, PA, or Nurse that talks with Suzanne about the side effects from her surgery & treatments tend to look at her like she was an alien as she shares that “I taste food just fine”

Approaching a year after her surgery, the ability to taste has been what has driven this woman to new heights. Her desire to eat and taste has brought her to the point that she no longer uses her feeding tube and looks forward to trying something new to eat. That ability to taste has made her life what most people would say is ‘A Life worth living.

So, is it a miracle that she still has her taste? Let’s put it to the test. First, is it a surprising and welcome event? CHECK! Is this inexplicable by normal standards? CHECK! Has it caused wonder and astonishment in her medical staff? CHECK! Finally, is this a result of divine intervention?

WOW, that’s a tough one. You could chalk this one up to medical technology or just the luck of the draw which is what I expect most will do. Either way, you have to come to your own conclusion and you have three choices: You can deny the Lord’s intervention; You can through faith, believe it is a miracle; OR, if you are like me, you know It’s a miracle.

You see, I am of the opinion that Our Lord is not done with this soul here on earth. There is more that Suzanne and possibly me that is to be accomplished together before our time is through. It may be our witness in our church or community, it may be showing our children and others what love is about, it may be as simple as this BLOG, we may never know. No matter what it is, we both are grateful and thankful to have this chance to share our love with anyone who takes the time to listen.

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11:4