Miracles

If you wonder, “Can miracles still happen?” or “Do miracles still happen?” you’ve come to the right place. This is the second story in our series of examples of modern-day miracles. Today’s story, the Miracle in the Middle Drawer, wasn’t born of as much desperation as the $100 miracle, (first in our series) nor as showy as the miracle when my vision was restored, but it was just as welcome. In the early days of my time as a peer-to-peer funded missionary,  I rejected the idea of asking people to support my ministry and any effort at raising support for my work or my salary. I’d fund myself. Or so I thought. I began by drawing on my own resources but it didn’t take long before they were nearly depleted. No salary. No support. I didn’t know what to do so I struggled along in silence. Developed a great appreciation for beans, rice, and outdated foods at the local thrift shop. I was quick to say, “God will provide for me,” but not so quick to take Him at His word with a leap of faith. The truth was not pretty. I felt like a counterfeit missionary and the examples of modern-day miracles I heard about from other missionaries were for people a lot more holy than I was. Although I wouldn’t admit it, I didn’t believe God would provide for me. When I need a faith lesson, God often uses a crisis as a teaching tool. This time was no exception. I finally hit a tight spot I couldn’t fix. There was a little more month than money, and someone who owed me money every month was short. Again. I understood the circumstances, and I believed God called me to financial patience, so I waited but the delay made me short of funds. In order to drive to the office, I needed to buy gas but I only had $4 in cash. I didn’t want to use my debit card because the balance was low. It wasn’t $37 low but it was low and my scheduled deposit was still a couple of days away. On this particular morning, I pondered whether to work from home or ask for a miracle of gas fumes and go to the office. Finally, and with much hesitation, I decided to ask for a miracle. Can miracles still happen? I hoped so.  “Lord, if you want me to go to the office, you’ll have to give me some cash,” I prayed. The Still Small Voice answered instantly. “Look in the middle drawer.” I didn’t want to argue with God, but I already looked in the middle drawer the previous day, more than once. I’d also looked in all the other usual places I stash a few dollars, too. No money anywhere. “Which drawer is that, Lord? The middle drawer of my desk doesn’t have any money in it. I looked there yesterday.” The impression of the middle drawer was so strong that I quit arguing and went to look.  I pulled open the drawer and saw a white envelope on top of everything else. Where it had never been before. I opened it, and there was $25 in cash there. More than enough to buy gas. I laughed and thanked God for the modern-day miracle and headed to the office. Needed: Modern Day Miracles. Can you help? The money in my drawer was just one of many examples of modern-day miracles, but it confirmed for me that miracles still happen and was a huge blessing. I soon learned, however, that modern-day miracles happen all the time. Single mothers have one story after another about how God provided for their needs in miraculous ways. They, too, love this way of life. If you’re in a position of need, take heart. God has more than enough funds available to meet your needs and He’s willing to help. Your part is not to fret but to ask Him to provide. If you’re in the position to give, take a look around you. There are single moms, senior adults on fixed incomes, and missionaries all around us who are praying for a $10 or $20 miracle, and you can help. When God prompts your heart, pass along a blessing.  I’ve been the one who was flush with cash and able to give here and there. It’s the most fun you can ever have. Receiving a miraculous provision is awesome, but it’s still more blessed to give than to receive. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 nasb Can miracles still happen? What’s your experience? When God gives us a miracle, we’re supposed to share it so that He can be glorified by what He’s done. What about you? Do you have your own examples of modern-day miracles? Share your story in the comments below. I’d love to hear what God has done in your life.  Photo by Ben Neale on Unsplash Want to read more? Thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with us today! If you enjoyed this content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, sign up for the twice-monthly mailing list to receive exclusive stories and be notified about future blog posts. Before you leave, would you mind taking a moment to pin to Pinterest and share on social media? It helps extend my digital reach in ways I can’t do myself. Thanks again! See you soon. If you enjoyed “Can Miracles Still Happen?” and want to read about more modern-day miracles, check out these stories. Here are links to a few other posts you might enjoy: Miracles Still Happen: The $100 Miracle Does Miraculous Healing Still Happen? The Miracle I Expected to Remember but Soon Forgot When the Prayer of Desperation Becomes Through the Roof Prayer The Prodigal Puppy and the Rescuer Who Brought Her Home Here’s an in-depth, life-changing digital Bible study to help you grow in your Christian faith: (This is an Amazon affiliate

Have you ever wondered if miracles still happen? I was right there with you but one surprising experience changed my doubts. Several years ago, worn out and burned out, I took a much-needed break from practicing medicine to write. The plan was a return to medicine after the turn of the year, just two months later. As it turned out, I never went back, and the two-month break turned into a divinely-orchestrated training-in-faith school. The money I’d saved was enough to carry me through the short, planned break. It wasn’t quite enough for the much longer breaker. Before too long, money was in short supply. As a frugal woman, I tightened my belt and trusted God to provide. He did. Money got tighter and my belt did, too. Once again, God provided. Every time. There came a day, however, when my bank account was down to $37.00. An automatic draft was scheduled for the next day. Someone owed me enough money to more than cover the expense but, on the day they’d agreed to pay, they could only give me a small portion of what they owed. My heart sank and I struggled not to cry as she counted the partial payment into my hand. I hoped miracles still happen… The money she paid wasn’t enough to cover my draft and I had no idea what to do. A sense of foreboding quickly turned into fear and threatened to overwhelm me. I believed miracles still happen, or maybe I hoped they did, so I searched my house in anticipation of an unexpected stash of cash. I looked between the chair and sofa cushions, in jacket pockets, and in old purses where I found spare change and a few dollars, but not enough.  The money spread out before me on the kitchen table, I sat down, head in hands, and wept. Tears streamed down my face as I prayed, “Lord, you have never let me down before. What’s up with this? What am I supposed to do?” Have you had one of those moments when the still, small voice of God was maddening and incomprehensible? This was one of them. “Take it to the bank.” Miracles still happen but obedience isn’t optional The money wasn’t enough. Why take it to the bank before God provided the full amount in some way? I wanted to wait for the rest of the money, but the still, small voice in my heart was relentless. “Take it to the bank.”  I counted the money over and over. I was nearly $60 short. Finally, since I didn’t know what else to do, I gathered up the money and headed to town.  The drive-through furthest away from the window allowed me to avoid looking at the teller’s face. Shame rushed through me at the idea of seeing her look at me, with my previous big bank account, now down to only $37. I slipped my tiny deposit into the vacuum tube, hit the send button, and prayed as I waited for the teller to send back the deposit slip. Miracles still happen, but I didn’t expect one to happen for me that day. The first hint of a miracle… After a few minutes, she buzzed with a question. “What do you want to do with this extra money?” “What extra money?” “There’s another $100 in here you didn’t add to the total.” My breath caught in my throat. $100 would make the deposit more than enough. My heart pounded as I replied. “Are you sure? I counted that money several times.” “Yes, ma’am. I’ve counted it three times. There’s definitely an extra $100.”  It’s true: Miracles Still Happen I sat in stunned silence, unable to answer, as tears ran down my face.  “Dr. Hollis. What did you want me to do with this extra money?” “If God added $100 to my deposit, please put it in my account.” I laughed, cried, praised, and shouted hallelujah as I waited for the deposit slip. That day, God did something big–both in me and for me. The $100 wasn’t the biggest miracle I’ve ever seen, but it was the most desperately needed. It showed me, in the most compelling way imaginable, that I could trust God on my journey of faith. It was fun in a roller-coaster-ride kind of way and left me wanting more: more God, more miracles, more evidence of His favor and love.  Money has never been in quite that short supply again, but, even when it’s tight, I’m no longer frightened. At the deepest part of my being, I know God will supply all my needs. Every single one of them. Life After a Miracle… Several years have passed since that exciting day and I now work full-time as a peer-to-peer funded missionary doing community outreach and intercessory prayer. My former patients still ask if I’ll ever “go back” to medicine. It’s not hard to decide. I miss my doctor-salary and the ease of certain income but they don’t compare to the joy of knowing God will provide. As long as I’m doing what He calls me to do, in His way, God will fund His projects and provide for me.  What about you? If you’re in one of those only-God-can-help situations now, take courage. We serve an on-time God who is more than able to provide. He’s not only able to provide; He’s also willing. Have you faced a situation in which only a miracle could carry you through? I’d love to hear your story, so please comment below. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God… And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 19 nasb Want to read more like Miracles Still Happen?  Thanks for stopping by and sharing your time with us today! If you enjoyed this content, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, sign up for the twice-monthly mailing list to