God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for,

but He gave me multiple hands that prepared dozens of warm meals for my family.

God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for,

but He gave me a hot shower and comfy bed for my grief worn body to lie in.

God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for,

but He gave me precious friends who listened to me tell my story and process the pain over and over again.

God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for,

but He gave me even more reasons to be elated about going to Heaven.

God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for,

but He gave me deeper friendships than I ever could have had before.

Miracles are blessings, but so are the unseen beauties of grief and suffering.

Things like deeper empathy for others,

a new reliance, surrender and trust in God…a trust that doesn’t happen by accident,

and an appreciation of how short, and beautiful and horrible life is.

God didn’t give me the miracle I prayed for…

and it’s ok, He gave me Himself.