Throughout my life and ministry, I have seen many miracles. Most have not been accompanied with lightning flashes or earth-shaking thunder; yet, miraculous none the less. I was reminded today by a friend that he and I are walking miracles. In our own time, each of us were awarded an extension of life when we were offered a very slim chance of survival. My friend, Mark, had a massive blood clot that was sure to move to his heart and snuff out his life. His wife was called to the hospital immediately so that she could see him one last time before he passed from death into life. His doctors had given him less than a 5% chance of survival. Friends and family, ministerial colleagues and church members prayed earnestly and God attended to their prayer. That was twenty years ago and Mark remains a walking miracle – a testament to a God who cares and answered prayer. On November 10, 2020, I suffered what later would be understood as a second ‘widow maker’ heart attack. They are called ‘widow makers’ because statistically when someone suffers one at home, their chances of survival are near 0%. When they suffer one inside a hospital, the chances of survival are around 3-5%. I was at home. I had just, a couple of hours earlier, dropped my wife off with her sister-in-law for a trip to Myrtle Beach for their annual shopping trip – we live in Summerville, SC. They had just sat down to eat when the attending cardiologist phoned her to tell her that if she wanted to see me alive, she needed to come immediately. He added that I would not make it through the night. Friends and family – classmates and missionaries – church members and associates began to pray. God graciously heard their prayers and answered with a ‘Yes’ when the obvious should have been ‘No.’ Today, I understand that I am a walking testimony of God’s grace and mercy. Just this week (September 5, 2026) one of my high school classmates met his Savior face-to-face. Gil was born in January of my birthyear and was five months older than I. He was one of the most solid followers of Christ that I have ever known – a man of great love and devotion toward his family and a friend to all who knew him. He was also a fine example of physical fitness. I’m sure he has accomplished more and has left a more shining legacy than I could ever dream of. Having been struck down with a debilitating disease, many of the same prayer warriors who prayed over me became his faithful prayer warriors, too. Praying for several years, this faithful band lifted Gil up before our Savior – the Great Physician. But God said ‘No, My grace is sufficient for you.’ The reason why God says ‘Yes’ sometimes and ‘No’ at other times may not be immediately understood, we know that our sorrow is short-lived when compared to eternity. And, we know that our sorrow is but for a time and our rejoicing will be complete when we see our Savior up close and in Person. One day, all will be clear. Until then we trust in God’s grace – it is sufficient. ‘For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ Psalm 30.5 ‘But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.’ I Thessalonians 4.13
