The Children’s Sunday School teacher was searching for a certain word. “Children,” she said, “What would you call it if a skydiver jumped out of a plane, his parachute didn’t open, but he landed in a farm pond and was unharmed?” They thought for a moment. One student said, “Pretty good luck.”

“Let’s try again,” said the teacher. “What would you call it if there was a speeding car coming right at you. At the very last second, a giant hand reached down out of heaven, picked you up, and set safely down on the side of the road?”

Again, they thought. “I’d say that was weird,” one student answered.

“No, no,” said the teacher. “One more try, what would you call it if our pastor preached a twenty- minute sermon?”

In unison, all the children shouted, “A miracle!”

Miracles are those events in life that have a supernatural origin and defy all natural laws. In our day, pessimism abounds. People everywhere are worried. They talk about their fears. Americans are discouraged because of the daily barrage of negative news reports. Depression is creeping in. But God is still working miracles! Miracles abound, if you will look for them.

We ought to talk more about miracles. Miracles lift the spirit. Miracles satisfy the hunger of the soul. Miracles magnify Jesus, the worker of miracles. Each one of us has experienced the miraculous in our lives. Someone who knows you needs to know about your miracle. So let us make a deal to share our miracles with each other.

In your conversations, just begin by saying, “Did I ever tell you about the time when….” The rest of the story will be easy because the Holy Spirit will help you to express the joy you felt at being supernaturally blessed by God. I would like to hear your miracle stories. You can email them to me at fcccassville@ gmail.com. Your miracles stories would encourage me. Who knows, they might become a book called “God Stories” that would bless the lives of the people of Barry County.

It is for sure that there needs to be more conversation that blesses and heals. With God’s help we can transform this prevailing tide of depressing talk into rushing currents of supernatural joy.

I believe in miracles. You do, too. Let’s talk about them. Who knows? You might even hear that I preached a twenty-minute-long sermon. Not. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29).

Chuck Terrill, who has doctorates from Master Theological Seminary and Trinity Seminary, is the senior minister at First Christian Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2460.