December 2, 2014

Let's Look for Miracles...

It seems like White Noise... to add talk of Miracles this time of year.  

It seems now, this month, more than any other time of year - we are all talking about Miracles... miracles on 34th Street, miracles in a manger, miracles of Christmas bonuses or families able to gather together, miracles of needs met or gifts found or -you get the idea. 



Our anticipation and expectation --it rises along with that Christmas Star and we, once again, dare to hope!

You can feel it too, right?  That tugging that starts down deep...  In a world spinning fast, all dizzy and blurred, I love that pull that is nearly tangible to slow. it. down.  --to stop, to breathe in deep this cold winter air. It fights within us... this drive to keep up, and the need to slow down!  


There is a hunger and thirst for more than just some peace and quiet, but for Peace on Earth and a little Silent Night!




Please tell me that you sense it, too!  I know how it can go unnoticed, nearly ignored all together. We can rush right by it... push it back down and keep running around, crossing things off our bossy lists... but oh how I pray that we don't do that! No - let's not dismiss it... instead of pushing through, let's lean in!

Let's agree together that what this weary world needs most is a Holy Night, is a Falling on our knees, is a little rejoicing!  I'm still just learning about Advent and of the glory that can be found in the waiting... of the expanding expectation of His coming, and this has been a hard few weeks... still... rejoicing is what is needed! Surely - there is something we can give thanks for.  As Ann with no 'e' says, the eucharisteo always proceeds the miracle!

I heard Liz Curtis Higgs speak it last year --how Mary departed after encountering the angel, heading for Elizabeth's and how maybe, just maybe, it was Elizabeths' greeting that first revealed to Mary that she was pregnant.  She may have not even known when the Spirit overshadowed her! 

That thought led me to this thought:

Miracles often happen when we are unaware!

Advent means "Coming" and while many still wait - we know that He has come... He is coming and He is here and no matter where you are or what you are needing, He comes for you.

Miracles happen at Christmas time, yes - but they happen all the year through!

Can I invite you to look back... over the course of this year? Get out your calendar or your journal, or both if you must, and really slow to think over it all... I do this every year and every year I am amazed to find that through the 'good' and the 'bad' - miracles have happened while we were unaware... blessings multiplied the more we tried to count them and write them down one by one. We just can't ever keep track of God, of all the ways He gives gifts, blessings, --of all the ways He performs miracles for us and through us!

We pray for miracles and in our minds we think they will arrive on the scene Big and Showy... all Lights and Action and Smoke Machines. Sometimes.  Sometimes they do show up like that.  


But most times?  I think most times, the miracles are small and quiet and tiny... they are easily overlooked or taken for granted or blended in to the fabric of our everyday lives.  But they are there!

Oh how they are there!


So starting right here and now, let's look for Miracles...

Miracles that have already happened this year, and the ones still waiting to unfold... 

Let's purpose to look together, all expectant and wonder-filled!




Updated from an original post from December 2013


P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory


Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart

Meredith Bernard for #Woman2WomanWednesday

26 comments :

  1. Anonymous1:44 AM

    That's a great thing to be looking for, and noting them down at the end of the day is one good way to take hold of a bit of quiet. It's been so timely for me to read this today as I am feeling rushed and pressured. Tonight I am leading a small group Advent time and it was feeling like another 'to do'. Your post has shown me it is a gift, a promise of a Silent, Holy Night, which is just the thing I need. Now, I will look forward to it, and savour it when it comes. Thank you!

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    1. You can't even know how much I love this comment! How much do we LOVE God's perfect timing? Praying for your gathering tonight... thanks so much for stopping by!

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  2. Wonderful post, Karriee! I am challenging my family this Advent season to look for Jesus to show up in small ways each day. We email & share throughout the day the way in which we are noticing Him. Somehow I am thinking that as we see Him in the small, we will each see His majesty anew. Blessings!

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    1. Oh Amen, my friend! Yes - I agree... when we look for Him in the small ways, He shows up bigger in the big ways too! I love that you are all communicating through out your days about how and where you are finding Him! That is so great!

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  3. This was beautiful, Karilee! It reminds me of Micah 6:5-where God tells the Israelites (and us) to 'Remember your journey...that you may know the mighty acts of the Lord.' (and I'm not sure if I'm replying to someone else posts or commenting on my own--I suddenly couldn't find the comment button :/ ).

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    1. Ah yes... there is power and purpose in remembering our journey! (This comment button issue comes and goes around here and it is frustrating because I don't know how to fix it... but at least your comment came through! Thanks for pushing through and hitting publish!)

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  4. "and we, once again, dare to hope!" I read lines like this and know they are written "just for me"...HOPE, because it really does change everything! xo Beautifully written. xo

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  5. I think we definitely need to pay more attention to those "little miracles." The smile of a child, the first snow, every breath we take... Those are all miracles that we overlook every day.

    Anastasia Rose
    walk-in-the-rain-with-me.blogspot.com

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  6. I agree we need to look for miracles. Especially during this season. Great post and a great reminder to stop and look around.

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    1. Thanks so much for popping over Amanda! I hope you find many miracles - big and small!

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  7. Lovely post. I'm always looking for the good, miracles, kindness, love, and happiness. If this is the only time people seek that, then that makes me just happy, because it's nice to know that if for only a small time people are all focusing on the positives versus the ugly negative... right?
    Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season!
    XOXO

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    1. Oh I am with you... I am always on the look out as well! I just love how it seems much more 'normal' this time of year! I think that so often we can overlook the small miracles though - especially if we are needing/wanting a big one! Praying you find both Big and Small! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Beautiful post! I love what you said, "no matter where you are or what you are needing, He comes for you." Joining with you and quieting my soul and opening my eyes to see His glory all around, now and forever all my days!

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    1. Amen, Laura! Is this not what we truly need? To quiet our souls and open our eyes... for when we do that, it's easy to see His glory all around! Merry Christmas! May you see that He continues to come for you, this season and in all your days!

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  9. Miracles often happen when we are unaware...
    Thanks for the beautiful ways you pay attention--and inspire others to do the same. May the joy of discovery continue for you this Advent season.

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    1. What a nice surprise to see you here, my friend! Yes... Miracles (both big and small) surround us everyday! Lord, give us eyes and hearts to see them! Help us to, as Ann Voskamp says, receive the gift and then be the gift! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  10. So much goodness here. So blessed!

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    1. Love you, friend! Believing for the big and small kind to show up for you this Christmas!

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  11. Anonymous10:12 AM

    Yes, let's look for miracles!

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  12. As I busy myself trying to make Christmas all pretty at my house. Fit it all in while working and being a wife. Trying to get it all done before the holiday is over, you remind me that what I really need to do is pay attention to the small, quiet, simple, amazing things that happen everyday. Thanks Karrilee! Beautiful.

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  13. Oh, Karrilee... I love your miracle-searching heart. So expectant and full of the Spirit. Love you!

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    1. And I love yours right back, my friend! Kindred, indeed!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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