Messes and Miracles

Sometimes life is just plain messy. Some days have so many obstacles to overcome, it is almost laughable. The thing is... Dirt is dirty. Problems are pesky. Crud is cruddy. It is a fact that life can be just one darn thing after another. Days are rarely without unexpected disturbances, or unsavory events. Stuff happens. Bad, icky, yucky, nasty, gross, putrid, rotting, revolting, etc., stuff happens. It does! 

However, sometimes messes and miracles can happen on the same day. 

I had such an experience yesterday... 

It was Sunday, a beautiful day full of sunshine, tulips, and blue skies. My morning was going very smoothly. I felt calm, and I was going about my business of getting everyone ready for church in a sweet and motherly way. I had church music playing in the background, and I was not rushing at all. I felt good about teaching my gospel doctrine lesson. I was not nervous. I was prepared, and wanted to teach the material I had studied. I was excited. Everyone was showered, most of the kids had matching socks, the flat iron smoothed out the kinks in my hair, and everyone was peacefully gathered on the couch ready to go. 

It was beautiful. 

All was well in my Zion. 

And then, without warning, I heard a flush in the bathroom that did not sound quite right. I went to investigate, and found the toilet about to overflow with nastiness. I had 5 minutes until I was planning to leave for church. But the mess had to be dealt with and fast! I quickly grabbed the trusty plunger. It is a loyal friend, with our one toilet house. And because I am rather skilled with my plunger-friend, I managed to keep the rising filth from overflowing, just in time. But upon a tested flush, it was not handling the issue with enough gusto to conquer the full clog. I needed something more. 

I had to grab the snake. (An auger.) 

I was fully dressed in my Sunday best, as I went to the garage and found the metal piece of toilet magic. Luckily, I am also quite skilled with an auger -- another close friend -- so I felt confident I could handle it. I had to laugh at myself, as I was trying not to throw-up, while taking care of such a nasty business right before church. If you have handled an auger, you know it can unleash a foul stench. It is all for the greater good, of course, but it is still nauseating to manage. I did my best to keep my hands clean, my breakfast where it belonged, and myself decent for church. I managed to keep my language above the level of the abyss I was staring into. 

I was able to show the toilet who was boss. I cleared the clog, and cleaned the mess. I put away my trusty equipment, and then I thoroughly scrubbed my hands for a very long time -- while feeling proud of the fact that I was able to take care of the dirty business in the bathroom, all by myself. I am sure Charles was laughing at me. 

I went from that disgustingly human and mortal experience, and then a few moments later I was sitting on the front row at church with my family, enveloped in the glow of the Spirit. I was trying to contain my giggles, as I pondered my morning mess and frenzy. All was well and calm for us on the van Ormer row. I bet you regret shaking my hand now though. He, he. 

After Sacrament meeting, I headed to my classroom, where I was able to teach a very uplifting lesson about the Miracles of Christ. It was uplifting because so many people shared their miracles, and it was so powerful for me, and I hope others too. I could have sat and listened to everyone share their experiences of faith and miracles for hours and hours. All we needed was a campfire, the thick smell of pine trees, some marshmallows, and it would have been perfect. The Spirit was strong in the room, and I was able to share some of my recent miraculous experiences, which felt really good. 

As I studied the lesson material about miracles, I was in Heaven. It was wonderful for me. It was such a beautiful topic to study and ponder. I can remember as a little girl, I used to sit at my mother's feet, and ask her to tell me all the miracles that had happened in our family. I would listen with enthusiasm as the room would get brighter and brighter, with the Spirit of God. I have always believed in miracles. I have witnessed so many. 

Miracles are still happening today, everyday. I have seen them. Sometimes -- often times -- they do not come in the way we would have them, or the way we have planned out in our minds. They come about in God's way, and in His time. Sometimes He raises the dead, and sometimes He allows those left behind after death to rise and live again. That is a miracle I can attest to. 

No matter the circumstances we are facing, it is important to look for miracles -- not demand them -- but seek after them. As we keep our minds and hearts open, the reality of miracles will begin to appear before our eyes. Faith can move mountains. I know what that means now. If the desired outcome of your heart does not occur, then that was not meant to be the miracle. But the miracle is ever before you, perhaps on a journey you must take. If you seek it, you will find it. 

Trust God. Completely. 

As Elder Holland has said: Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead. 

Life is full of messes and miracles. 

Which will you focus on? 

Drink that bitter cup, and be strong... trust in happier days ahead. 

They will come. 

Hope on. Journey on.