Last week we experienced what I believe to be miracles, as we watched our little two-year-old Millie go from being her happy self to being one very sick little kid who was in the hospital for 5 days. Many many people prayed for Millie and today we’re sharing the details of that story, where the little miracles happened, and why I’m calling them miracles. We also dive into how prayer played a part in all of this, whether we change the outcome ourselves by praying, or if it’s just up to God, and if it is – what the point is of praying, and whether it really works.
I had my own doubts and concerns as the doctors told us Millie being sick was nothing to worry about. Our parental instincts said otherwise. Instead of wallowing in the uncertainty, I chose to share what was going on with the community on social media. My dms had messages of hope and good wishes that I’m sure had a positive impact on Millie. It was soon after updating people that Millie felt better. Even staff at the hospital were surprised at Millie’s change in demeanor.
Retelling this recent event gives Neil and I the chance to discuss how we interpreted the moments of the situation. I feel it’s healthy that we have that time to reflect. Our conversation touched on what happens when we earnestly pray, but the outcome is unfavorable. Using references from real talks, we read the definition for “miracle”, and together we talk about having more acceptance of the outcomes we didn’t imagine. We know that we wouldn’t learn lessons or experience gratitude if we received everything we wanted.
At those vulnerable times where our prayers seem to go “unanswered”, can we turn the mood around and still have faith that we will be okay as life continues?
Time Stamps:
[00:42] – We planned a trip to Utah to meet with family, and our trip took a turn.
[03:33] – Originally, no one could tell what was wrong with Millie.
[06:22] – After the results came, I felt that there was something else wrong.
[09:06] – Here are a few of the symptoms we saw when Millie was first sick.
[11:28] – It threw us off to see our child be exhausted from a sickness, but we eventually developed the faith that things would work out.
[14:02] – Neil and I experienced watching our child be sick slightly differently. I think it’s healthy that we are able to speak together about what we felt individually.
[15:45] – Honestly, when we took Millie in for a second diagnosis, we were still trying to process what was going on.
[18:02] – I shared Millie’s story on social media, and she had a miraculous shift in mood. The good energy from others around the world seemed to help, but there was more to come.
[21:30] – I retell what it was like when Millie woke up out of her sleep screaming while we were at the hospital.
[23:00] – I’m blown away that people took the time to send positive energy to Millie.
[24:50] – What happens when the prayers seem to go unheard? How do we deal with the aftermath?
[27:40] – It's not a healthy expectation to think God will take away everything unfortunate or unfavorable.
[28:07] – How do we define a miracle?
[30:58] – I feel Millie’s recovery defied all logic. She suddenly started getting better.
[32:23] – Prayer is not to change God’s will. Prayer helps God’s will and our will to correspond and find a balance of dealing with the situations.
[33:02] – Blessing and prayer include being active. “Faith without works is dead.”
[35:26] – Have a willingness as acceptance of the outcome to really embrace faith and the miracles.
[37:53] – I share a story of a miracle with finding a cell phone. The timing of miracles is not up to us.
[39:48] – Neil realizes that his reaction to a prayer going “unanswered” is a reflection of the strength of his faith.
[41:25] – I think we are given tests of our faith to help build each other up.
[44:20] – We should share our moments of faith and make that connection between each other the focus.
[46:12] – If you said one of those prayers for Millie, thank you.
Links and Resources:
Mint Arrow Messages on Instagram
Mint Arrow Messages on Pinterest
Mint Arrow Messages on Facebook
Mint Arrow Messages on Twitter
“Has the Day of Miracles Ceased” Talk by Donald L. Hallstrom
The Church of Jesus Christ Bible Dictionary Prayer Definition
“Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball”
“Prayer” talk by Henry B. Eyring
“When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold S. Kushner
3 Tweetables:
“In those instances where there isn’t a favorable outcome, do you still have the faith?” – Neil
“I think there is so much responsibility when God gives us good things to recognize him. Recognize his hand. Recognize that it was him who gave those things to us.” – Corinne
“The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure ourselves and others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.”
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