Girlfriends in God - Sept. 2, 2008

September 2, 2008

How Much Does a Miracle Cost?

Mary Southerland

Today’s truth

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. (NCV)

Friend to Friend

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and carefully counted it three times, just to be sure. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and walked the six blocks to the local drug store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door.

The little girl walked in, heading for the pharmacy. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy talking with another man. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally, she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

”And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy a miracle." “I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. The little girl replied, "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"

”We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said in a slightly softer voice. She persisted, “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?" “I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money".

”How much money do you have?" asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.” ”Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "One dollar and eleven cents is the exact price of a miracle for little brothers." He took her money in one hand and grasped the other mitten covered hand, saying, "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need."

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, surgeon, specializing in neurosurgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. The mother said, "That surgery was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost." Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle costs - one dollar and eleven cents - plus the faith of a little child.

My friend, do not be afraid to ask your miracle working God to work a miracle in your life today. Remember that in God’s economy, a miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.

Let’s pray

Lord, I want to be a woman of faith who lives each day, expecting a miracle from Your hand. Give me an attitude of anticipation and an obedient heart that is willing to step out in faith, asking and believing that a miracle is on its way. Help me remember to measure every supernatural work against the truth of the Bible. Help me to celebrate the “small” miracles as well as the “big” ones. I praise You for Your presence and power in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Now it’s your turn

How would you define faith?

Read the following verse and adjust your definition accordingly:

Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. (NLT)

Are you willing to trust God completely and walk in faith? Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 as a new life verse.

More from the Girlfriends

The thought of stepping into the unknown is a bit scary, isn’t it? We may not know what tomorrow holds, but as the old song says, we “know Who holds tomorrow”. What peace and joy are wrapped up in the truth that no matter where we have been, no matter where we are, no matter where we are headed…it is not a surprise to God and, in fact, He has already been there! Don’t be afraid, my friend. Take that first step of faith and He will meet you there!

Need help? You need Mary’s book, “Experiencing God’s Power in Your Ministry”. I know…you are not a minister or even married to one. Wait! This book is for every woman who serves God, whether it is on a church staff, in her home as a wife and mother or outside the home in a corporate office. Check it out!