As I rode into work one recent morning, I was contemplating a number of things. What I had to do for the day, what I needed to do at home, what bills were coming due, and how well my football team would perform this weekend. Random thoughts, nothing in particular mind-boggling or earth-shattering.
Then I realized I was riding on the train to work for about the 7,000th time in my life, and I was likely to do it over and over again for another 6,000 or so rides. It was at that point I asked, "Hey God, where's my miracle?"
Almost as soon as that popped into my head, I realized how stupid I was. I contemplated this a bit further, though. Plenty of people pray to God for the things they want. Love, money, enjoyment, even critical things like surviving a difficult situation or just simply living through a debilitating disease. We all hope for God, or whatever being or entity we believe in, to provide us a miracle at some point.
I say "we all" because the old phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" rings true to me. At some point, in everyone's life, we've asked a higher power for something.
So here I was, just lazily asking God for a miracle to help me not have to ride this train into the city anymore. Hardly worth asking for. But I asked it because I was being mentally lazy.
Atheists sometimes use the 'fact' that God doesn't 'answer' prayers as a proof that there is no God. I've never found that particularly compelling, for one reason.
God is not a cosmic waiter at your beck and call, waiting to be motioned over to bless your latest business deal. ~Michael Slaughter
I've known plenty of people who think that's the case. God has abandoned them if God doesn't give them what they want, sometimes they abandon God at this point.
On the other hand, as I rode the train I realized He owes me nothing, He has already provided everything I need for my miracle or my big break. I've either missed my chances up til now, flubbed them somehow, or the right time hasn't arrived (and may never).
What separates people like me from those who got 'their' break? What separates me from others who haven't?
The fact is, not much separates me from anyone else in that regard. Even after many people get that miracle, there's more to be asked for. Even after someone's miracle isn't fulfilled, they will still ask for another. The only thing that may set me apart is realizing I shouldn't be asking at all. I should instead focus on what I have, and how to make the best use of it.
Doing that is the hardest thing any of us can do, and some are much more successful at it than others.
Yesterday, a friend of mine posted on Facebook a quote that said "The world does not need more successful people. The world needs peacemakers, healers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds." I disagreed, slightly. It all depends on what you mean by successful people and how you define success. We need more successful people, in my opinion, and we need them in all kinds of different specialties. There is no reason we can't be all the things the "world needs" and still be successful at other things like business, parenting, or just being fun people to be around.
So while I'll probably still keep asking God for 'my miracle' (the lottery sure would be nice!), I will always remember that's not what I should be asking for. I'm better off asking God to continue to provide me with everything He has provided up to this point, both good and bad, because that's what life is all about.
I should be inclined to ask for a bit more patience and understanding so that when bad things happen I can deal with them more effectively. I'm more likely to see those kinds of requests fulfilled. All the other miracles I ask for He has really already given me the tools for, and I've just got to figure out how to use them better.
As the new year approaches, that's what my primary wish will be. To try and keep improving who I am not based on what I see from others, but from who I used to be. Being a better person is something we can always strive for, and even when we fail we can pick ourselves up and try again. We just need that little extra help to get back on the path of improvement.
So that's what my wish for all of Maggie's readers will be for 2015 - keep improving. Have a Happy New Year.
