Rebecca Moll's Blog - Posts Tagged "miracle"
61 Minutes to a Miracle by Bonnie L. Engstrom, A Book Review by Rebecca Moll
Nothing less than 5 stars for a mother's story written from the heart. But this is not just a mother's story. It has become so much more.
Whether you believe every miracle because you need hope that there is a loving God at work or you come as a skeptic requiring proof to explain the timeless questions, why? how? The story of James Fulton Engstrom's remains inexplicable.
61 minutes without a pulse from birth.
What can be answered is the response to the Engstrom's call for prayers to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for his help. An invisible web spread across the Engstrom's family, friends, and eventually, the world. Countless prayers offered up for the life of a little boy. A catalyst to the saving and healing of a little life and the canonization
of Archbishop Sheen.
Prayer is powerful.
Life triumphed over death.
James Fulton Engstrom is a living, breathing, healthy little boy.
Prayer is powerful.
I can't explain why or how, nor do I want to. For me, believing is seeing. And as far as this every day, normal, so far from perfect it is not even funny, Catholic woman is concerned, I see the glory of God in a little boy's life.
Whether you believe every miracle because you need hope that there is a loving God at work or you come as a skeptic requiring proof to explain the timeless questions, why? how? The story of James Fulton Engstrom's remains inexplicable.
61 minutes without a pulse from birth.
What can be answered is the response to the Engstrom's call for prayers to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for his help. An invisible web spread across the Engstrom's family, friends, and eventually, the world. Countless prayers offered up for the life of a little boy. A catalyst to the saving and healing of a little life and the canonization
of Archbishop Sheen.Prayer is powerful.
Life triumphed over death.
James Fulton Engstrom is a living, breathing, healthy little boy.
Prayer is powerful.
I can't explain why or how, nor do I want to. For me, believing is seeing. And as far as this every day, normal, so far from perfect it is not even funny, Catholic woman is concerned, I see the glory of God in a little boy's life.
Thoughts upon reading The Woman in the Trees by Theoni Bell
As someone who has been raised in the Catholic faith, a family of believers, my thoughts and words are steeped in the belief there is a God, a creator, a loving Father who watches over us and waits for us. This belief gives me solace in times when the inexplicable and unfathomable become too much.
For me, I do not need a woman in the trees to affirm my faith. I believe all things are possible with God.
But for those of Theoni Bell's account, their lives were wholly lacking in this foundational faith. Add the rigors and hardships of early American pioneer life, the crude conditions, civil war, constant toil, disease and death and it is a wonder they could do more than merely survive. How could they rise each day to meet what lay ahead? It is a life I am grateful not to have endured.
Theoni Bell gives account of the first approved Marian apparition through the eyes of Slanie, a young impressionable girl, a girl without God. A girl, who as a young mother would survive one of America's most horrific wildfires. This account bears witness to the miracle of their survival. While millions of acres were reduced to char and ash, the faithful and their little church remained unscathed, a circle of life in a forest of destruction.
It is true the apparition and how Slanie and her fellow villagers survived the fire is a mystery, a miracle. Yet, my take-away from this account is not in what I can't understand, but what I can understand.
Mary's apparition brought God to Slanie and her people. This new found faith created bonds among family & friends, enriched lives, and gave strength and purpose to their lives. Disease and death persisted, civil war raged and toil was constant; however, knowing God was there, right beside them, their spirit prevailed.
As I said, such proof of religious miracles are not pillars of my faith. For me, the proof is in the pudding, the messy blob of everyday life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whatever life brings, it is in the messiness of life that faith affords fortitude and that God holds us together. In other words, eat your pudding and be thankful.
Jesus loves me, this I know.
Yet, I see beauty in our God reaching out, Mary's apparitions, all the angels and saints interjections into our little lives. Everyone needs a hug every now and then.
Whether you are a believer or a seeker, I impart some humble advice:
Remember to pray.
Read The Woman in the Trees.
And, eat your pudding.
Blessings to you and yours,
Rebecca
For me, I do not need a woman in the trees to affirm my faith. I believe all things are possible with God.
But for those of Theoni Bell's account, their lives were wholly lacking in this foundational faith. Add the rigors and hardships of early American pioneer life, the crude conditions, civil war, constant toil, disease and death and it is a wonder they could do more than merely survive. How could they rise each day to meet what lay ahead? It is a life I am grateful not to have endured.
Theoni Bell gives account of the first approved Marian apparition through the eyes of Slanie, a young impressionable girl, a girl without God. A girl, who as a young mother would survive one of America's most horrific wildfires. This account bears witness to the miracle of their survival. While millions of acres were reduced to char and ash, the faithful and their little church remained unscathed, a circle of life in a forest of destruction.
It is true the apparition and how Slanie and her fellow villagers survived the fire is a mystery, a miracle. Yet, my take-away from this account is not in what I can't understand, but what I can understand.
Mary's apparition brought God to Slanie and her people. This new found faith created bonds among family & friends, enriched lives, and gave strength and purpose to their lives. Disease and death persisted, civil war raged and toil was constant; however, knowing God was there, right beside them, their spirit prevailed.
As I said, such proof of religious miracles are not pillars of my faith. For me, the proof is in the pudding, the messy blob of everyday life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whatever life brings, it is in the messiness of life that faith affords fortitude and that God holds us together. In other words, eat your pudding and be thankful.
Jesus loves me, this I know.
Yet, I see beauty in our God reaching out, Mary's apparitions, all the angels and saints interjections into our little lives. Everyone needs a hug every now and then.
Whether you are a believer or a seeker, I impart some humble advice:
Remember to pray.
Read The Woman in the Trees.
And, eat your pudding.
Blessings to you and yours,
Rebecca
