Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

Did You Even Know You Were Looking at a Miracle?

Did You Even Know You Were Looking at a Miracle?

“Did you even know that you were looking at a miracle?”

That question caught me completely off guard. It came from a gentleman sitting nearby in the waiting room of our chiropractor’s office, and it landed in my ears like a divine interruption. Amid my self-imposed chaos, his words cut straight to my heart.

I sat there stunned, mouth slightly open, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Not exactly how I had planned my Tuesday morning chiropractic visit.

But God.

Earlier that morning, I was knee-deep in what I call C.H.A.O.S.—Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome. I couldn’t even remember who was supposed to go to the chiropractor, so I just loaded up the whole crew. Some days are just like that. And Tuesday was definitely one of those days.

As we filtered into the office, we were immediately recognized. No introductions needed. H knows the ropes and has all the staff wrapped around his little finger. He did his usual “hello? excuse me? lady?” routine, and Whitney—who adores him—popped around the corner and scooped him up with a big smile.

Before taking him back for his “office work,” she asked if she could introduce him to the woman behind me—her mom. As always, H was syrupy sweet, charming her with his innocence and bright spirit.

Then came the man.

The office is small and shared with another doctor. Since my kids had already claimed one corner, I sat on the opposite side, next to an older couple—probably in their late 60s or early 70s. The man leaned around his wife, looked directly at me, and smiled. His eyes were kind, deep, and piercing.

He said, “Did you know that boy of yours is a walking miracle?”

I choked back tears and managed to whisper, “As a matter of fact, I do.”

He asked H’s name, and when I told him, he promised to begin praying for him right then and there.

What stunned me most was that he didn’t know a single thing about us—not H’s health, not our family story, nothing. He hadn’t even seen H walk. Whitney had carried him back before the man saw him do anything. I briefly shared a 30-second summary of H’s medical journey, and tears welled in the man’s eyes.

He looked at me and said, “Well, I thought he was a miracle before… now I know he is. God spoke to me about him. Did you know that God is still a miracle maker? He’s alive and well and surrounding us every day.”

“Yes,” I said, voice shaking, “I know that.”

And just like that, peace settled into the chaos. For a few minutes, we chatted. His words calmed the storm in my spirit. My soul exhaled.

As I stepped up to the front desk, H had spotted some food he couldn’t eat because of his gluten allergy. While I gently comforted him, I overheard the man talking to D. Without hesitation, he was sharing the Gospel. He asked D direct, honest questions about his faith, his walk with Jesus, and his relationship with God.

I didn’t interrupt. Honestly, I stood there, witnessing the Holy Spirit move through this complete stranger with power and gentleness.

I don’t know his name. I don’t know which doctor he came to see or where he’s from. But I know he was sent—for me, for us.

God knew I needed that moment to hush the noise of my worry. He knew my tired heart needed the reminder that H is a miracle. And He knew that someone would come to speak truth, light, and hope when I least expected it.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

Related Posts

Let Them by Cassie Phillips

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, Faith Journey

Making Your Marriage a Priority

 Making Your Marriage a Priority

Making Your Marriage a Priority

Making Your Marriage a Priority

Marriage isn’t always a fairy tale. In fact, I remember in our early years, a friend told me that one day, I would write a book. When I asked what I’d write about, she said: “How to hate your husband but stay married.” Ouch. That hit me square between the eyes.

Apparently, we weren’t fooling anyone. My dad once told me I was “too aggressive” and that our marriage wouldn’t last because my husband didn’t fight back—he was “too passive,” a “doormat,” even. Hurtful words, but somehow, they stuck with me. Even my father-in-law used to joke, year after year, “Well, I’ll be damned, you’re still married!” Clearly, belief in our lasting love was not exactly widespread.

And yet… here we are. Together. Stronger. Wiser. Happier. These years have taught me so much, and I want to share some of those lessons with you.


Lesson #1: Don’t Vent to Others

When you’re mad at your spouse, don’t pick up the phone and call someone to rant. The moment of frustration will likely pass, but what you say about your spouse in the heat of the moment can leave a lasting impression on someone else. That bitterness lingers, and it plants seeds of division. Protect your marriage, even when you’re mad.


Lesson #2: Keep Your Parents Out of It

Your parents are your parents—not your best friends or marriage counselors. Sharing marital frustrations with them can complicate your relationship with both your spouse and your family. If you need to talk, consider Jesus, a trusted pastor, or a marriage counselor.


Lesson #3: Don’t Involve Your Kids

Your kids are not your sounding board or your support system. They’re kids. Let them see that marriage isn’t always perfect, but protect them from the weight of grown-up conflict. Teach them to pray for their parents, and model grace, forgiveness, and love—even on the hard days.


Lesson #4: Date Your Spouse

Dating doesn’t require money or babysitters. In our early years, we had neither! So we improvised. The kids got simple dinners and early bedtimes, while we made a pizza and watched a movie together. That became our rhythm, and even now—30 years in—we still do it (though the routine has shifted slightly). These days, we go out twice a month, and it’s been a sweet way to reconnect and remember the why behind our yes.


Lesson #5: Grow Together in Faith

Find a church home where you both can grow. For us, this took time. B didn’t come to know Jesus until seven years into our marriage, so those early years were rough. Now, though we don’t do Bible studies together or sit and pray hand-in-hand, B prays over me every night. That means the world. Loving Jesus together looks different for every couple—and that’s okay.


Lesson #6: Stop Trying to Change Your Spouse

Your spouse’s quirks? They’re likely not going anywhere. It’s not your job to mold your spouse into who you think they should be. That job belongs to God. You focus on your own walk, your own growth, and let the Lord handle the rest. Real transformation doesn’t come through nagging—it comes through grace.


Lesson #7: Dance in the Kitchen

Or under the stars. Or while brushing your teeth. It sounds silly, but it’s one of those little things that make a marriage feel alive. Don’t take yourselves too seriously. Find joy in the ordinary.


Lesson #8: Embrace Intimacy

Intimacy isn’t just about sex (though regular sex is important in marriage, if you’re able). Sometimes that’s not possible for health or other reasons. But intimacy can also look like holding hands, snuggling, forehead kisses, or lingering hugs at night. Communicate. Touch. Connect—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


Marriage is hard work, but it’s also sacred work. Make it a priority. Protect it. Nurture it. Fight for it. Laugh, cry, grow, and dance together.

This is a tip from my Lady.

Lesson #9

Pro tip from my husband: Communicate.

Lesson #10

Another pro tip from my husband: Don’t cheat.

He is a man of few words but his words, when spoken, are wise.

If you have anything to add, leave me a comment and I will tack them on!

Related Posts

You Can Always Begin Again

Adoption, Guest Blogger

Meet my Guest Blogger and Sister Tera

Meet my Guest Blogger and Sister Tera

Meet my Guest Blogger and Sister Tera

 

Do you ever step back and take a look at where the Lord has had your journey? Reflection is an amazing reminder of our sanctification process. Sanctification….the word I view with both dread and anticipation. It is God’s plan of growing us into the likeness of Christ. Sounds lofty, but what does it require? Sanctification requires stretching. I am not a fan of being stretched, but the Lord has stretched me over the last several years in ways that I would never have asked, but in ways that I would never trade.

Memories

Recently I took a look at the blog I kept during our adoption processes. We have six children, three of whom joined our family through adoption. These three were older when they joined our family and all came home with memories of their life in their home countries.

During the adoption process, my blogs consisted of all the typical thoughts and anxieties that a mother exhibits while waiting for her precious child to be in her arms. Nothing ever happened on my timetable. What was the Lord thinking? Didn’t He know that our child needed to be home? Also, didn’t He sense our pain in the waiting? Wait, didn’t He part the Red Sea? Wasn’t He capable of blasting through the Red Tape? I feel anxious typing all of that right now! So, as I re-read my entries I ran across this note that typifies what I pray the Lord has taught me and continues to teach me in my walk with Him. We were on our way home with our newest son.

Previous Blog Post

This week we have watched God’s hand guide every aspect of our journey. Lots of travel troubles, UGH. Through it all, when I would feel anxiety welling up in my heart, I would hear Him asking me, Do you trust me? Also, do you really mean all the things you say to everyone else? Do you trust me to work out circumstances according to My plan, not yours? Finally, do you recognize that you are not in control? Over and over, I know that He was and is telling me that in good or bad I must choose to trust that this journey is HIS.

This journey of my life is the one that He has planned and intended. I still get very anxious, wanting to control situations and people, but honestly….deep within my soul, I do trust Him. I may not like the plan, but I trust that He has it ALL worked out. I’m on a plane right now on our last leg home from bringing home our son. We are surprising the other kids with an early flight home.

Soon we will be the eight of us. Our sweet boy is sleeping peacefully. He fully trusts us as his parents. We know where he is going and we know what is in store on the other end of this plane ride.  There was a plan to bring him home. Everywhere we’ve led him, he has willingly gone with a smile on his face, handheld out to take ours. Fully trusting. May I be the same with my Heavenly Father who has the plan?

Encouraging Words

As your family journeys along in life, I ask you to trust Him with the plan. Recognize that He sees the view from above the plane. The full view. You only see out of your little window. How we react to our journey will show the world that we trust HIM and love HIM more than we trust and love our plan. Ask yourself what you desire more…the child to be added to your family, your children to be whole, relief from difficulties, or is your desire for a relationship with the ONE who made both you and your child?

Lean Into Him

Marriage. Parenting. Adoption. Life.  Complex, beautiful, hard.  Embrace the hard as God’s provision for your sanctification.  Growth is never easy. Cling to Him.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “The Lord says: ‘My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.’ ”