Peace to you.
Recently, Joyce and I watched the film Saint Ralph. Despite the title, Ralph is simply a typical 14-year-old boy at a Catholic school, struggling to fit in and wrestling with the ordinary temptations and questions of growing up. He has already lost his father, and his mother lies critically ill in the hospital.
When his mother falls into a coma, Ralph believes it will take a miracle for her to wake up. A priest tells him that three things are needed for a miracle: belief, purity, and prayer.
So Ralph decides to run the Boston Marathon. At first, no one believes he can do it—not even Ralph himself. But slowly, people around him begin to believe in him. They encourage him and invest in him. Ralph himself begins to believe he might actually finish the race. Still, he struggles with impure thoughts and sin. He does not know how to pray. Yet with the help of a mentor priest, he learns to confess honestly and seek purity. And as he runs—especially after mile 20—he learns to pray desperately.
This delightful and moving story reminded me again that miracles still happen in everyday life. This past Sunday, during the Children’s Moment in Hodgdon, I talked about a “trust fall.” When we fall backward and trust someone to catch us, our center of weight shifts from ourselves to another person. In many ways, that shift itself feels like a miracle.
Recently, Jo-Ann shared that she has long been a worrier—worrying about family, worrying about the world. Sometimes it even disturbed her sleep. But she began practicing a simple habit: whenever worry came, she intentionally gave it to God. Slowly, she discovered peace and rest. You can read her story here: Jo-Ann’s Life Story.
Another Lenten devotion today shares Sharon’s journey of forgiveness. God gave her freedom when she chose to forgive her stepfather. You can read it here: Sharon’s Lenten Devotion.
For Christians, another word for miracle is God’s grace at work. In that sense, we are surrounded by miracles every day.
During Sunday’s message, I shared Abraham’s story along with some of my own struggles during this season of transition. I also mentioned Hudson Taylor and his experience of the “exchanged life.” In a season of sorrow and suffering, he wrote these simple words: “I can’t read, I can’t think, I can’t pray, but I can still trust.”
If you would like to read the full message, you can find it here: Sunday Message: Jesus Our Cornerstone.
May God open our hearts and minds this week to see His miracles all around us. Have a blessed week ahead. Love you all.
Pastor Victor
P.S. This Wednesday at noon we will gather for our "Lenten Soup & Devotion" at Mars Hill. You are warmly invited. Bring a friend and join us for encouragement, prayer, and fellowship! :)
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