Instant Gratification

We live in a time where everybody wants instant gratification, answers at the touch of a button, results without the work. The greatest lessons available to us are those that don’t come overnight, so when we aren’t willing to work for what we want, we lose out.

The same goes for principles of the gospel. What are we willing to do, how hard are we willing to work to receive the witness or the promise? There are times when we desperately need answers, or protection or even just need a miracle. Even those don’t come without work.

Miracles

Sometimes, miracles present themselves in the form of science, technology or medicine. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes things happen in a way that defies logic. Sometimes, education itself is the platform for a miracle. Sometimes, invisible hands are there to lift us up and protect us when we need it most.

The Lord speaks to us about this in  D&C 35:8. He said “For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.”

When we have faith on His name, we have the right to ask the Lord for help anytime. The way He answers is His work.

Just after our one-year anniversary, my husband and I were driving upstate. I was eight months pregnant at the time when we were involved in a high-speed rollover accident. Just before the trouble started, I was shown clearly what was happening and was told to put my hands on the ceiling of the vehicle. I obeyed.

Buckle Up

I don’t know how many times we rolled, but I do know that my seat belt came off at some point. When the car came to a stop, it was upright, which was a blessing. We realized that we were walking away from this accident relatively unhurt. My husband somehow lost his wedding ring and I had a scratch on my knee. Miracle?

I was at peace that day, somehow. The next day, I wasn’t. I was having a meltdown and asked for a priesthood blessing. How interesting it was to hear my husband tell me about how he saw everything happen again as he pronounced the blessing. This time, he saw a pair of hands holding him by the shoulders and two pairs of hands holding me by the shoulders and around my baby. We were not left alone. Miracles are happening daily.

Ceased?

Referring to the Savior’s ascension into heaven, the prophet Moroni said “And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.” (Moroni 7:29) I have learned this for myself far more than one time.

Sometimes praying for miracles involves calming the sailor’s heart rather than calming the seas but you can count on the Lord to be there and answer in the way that is most beneficial for our growth.

Protection

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy commented, “While it is good to pray for and work for physical protection and healing during our mortal existence, our supreme focus should be on the spiritual miracles that are available to all of God’s children. No matter our ethnicity, no matter our nationality, no matter what we have done if we repent, no matter what may have been done to us—all of us have equal access to these miracles. We are living a miracle, and further miracles lie ahead.” 1

We have every right to call on the Lord for miracles. They are His to give as we show Him the faith and they are happening every day, in all parts of the world for those who believe.

1 “Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?”, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, General Conference, October 2017