Celebrate Life: 5 Milestones Since Mike’s Miracle

What milestones mark something special in your life?

Three hospitals. Forty three days. Critical Care. Tests. Procedures. Cardiac Caths. Open heart surgery. The days turned long and weary. The nights even longer. Thoughts swirled through my head in the darkness. What-if’s tempted to plague my mind keeping sleep at bay. But silent prayers brought hope:

Lord, give me strength. Help us, Father. God, please touch Mike’s body, heal him. 

Four months have passed since my husband’s heart attack. Mike’s a walking, talking, and living miracle. While the ordeal is forever etched in my mind, the miracles we experienced along the way far outweigh the hard moments. 

Thankfully, we are in a good place today. Mike’s doing well and he’s made great progress. Praises to the Lord! 

So I’m sharing 5 milestones since coming home from the hospital. 

(1.) Milestones: Celebrating Life

A baby in the womb. A newborn. The resurrected Christ. All reminders of a Creator who gives life and breath and grace. And our family is reminded daily of the miracle of life in Mike. He’s not supposed to be here, but he is. The word miracle rolls off my lips often and rightly so. Not a day these last four months has gone by without remembering the miracle of life. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (ESV)

A baby in the womb. A newborn. The resurrected Christ. All reminders of a Creator who gives life and breath and grace. And our family is reminded daily of the miracle of life in Mike. Share on X

(2.) Celebrating Another Birthday

Mike recently celebrated a birthday. As you might imagine, this birthday was special to him and our family. Because he’s still with us. Mike and I camped overnight then returned home for a family meal at a local restaurant. And finished with cake and cookies and the Happy Birthday song. Mike said, “Best birthday ever!” 

(3.) Milestones: Stronger Every Day

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Where Am I Trying to Be God in My Life?

Where am I trying to be God in my life? Am I reigning over any area and not releasing the reins and control to God? And what if I simply let God be God in the world and in my life?

Because I’ve discovered something significant about the Christian life. Following Jesus with full surrender and abandon, fulfilling my calling, ministry, and faithfully living as a believer, is not even about me. 

It’s about the One who said, “Follow Me.” 

And it’s about loving and obeying my heavenly Father with all my heart, soul, and mind. 

But sometimes we take on God’s job, desiring control over our lives and running ahead of Him. What if we simply let God do His job as God? If He manages the universe, He can certainly manage my life.

So, we let the Almighty reign over our decisions, circumstances, dreams, and life—every area.

Most importantly, isn’t He the only One who perfectly fills the role as God? No other person or god meets the requirements like the Lord. He’s the most qualified and the most trustworthy. 

G – Give God the reins and reign: God in my life

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

Often, we take the reins in particular areas of our lives. And it leads to less-than-best outcomes—even turmoil. Instead, we allow the Lord to take the reins, hold the reins, and keep the reins in everything.

This supercharges His Lordship over us as we surrender total control to Him.

When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives.

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There’s No One Like God Who Died for Me

What kind of God leaves the splendor and majesty of heaven to die for me? My God. So there’s no one—person or god—like God who died for me.

Because the Bible tells of our need for a Savior to save us from our sins. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23)

How amazing the one true God not only created beings for His good pleasure and relationship with Him.

But God also provided a way back to Himself when the first humans disobeyed Him.

This way back to Him came through the incarnation of God, His Son. Christ suffered and died for all humanity

The God who died for me created me in His image.

Out of great love, God created humans in His own image. 

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

“For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)

God didn’t have to create me or you, but He chose to. He wanted to. And He took great pleasure in forming us into His image to reflect His glory.

This same God pursued me.

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” Ezekiel 34:11 (ESV) 

Also, the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to pursue and find the one lost sheep. (Luke 15:4-7)

Just imagine a God with such extravagant love that He never, ever stops pursuing us. He continually seeks us out, even with others safely in His fold. He leaves the 99 for us every time.

No one like God who died for me.

Our God, in His lovingkindness, left His throne room in heaven and became flesh. Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God, never lost an ounce of His deity. Yet, He came to die for me and for you. 

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The Astonishing Way God Gifted Us With Grace

As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it reminds us how God gifted us with grace.

And how God gives us amazing grace—His love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ.

Because grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. 

And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV)

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)

And grace changes who we are. It changes our eternal destiny.

Also, grace changes how the Lord sees us—under grace, no longer condemned by the enemy or sin.

I’m not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace, amazing grace.

Because God gifted us with grace, I’m not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. Share on X

G – God paid the price: God Gifted Us

God extended amazing grace to us at such a high price, His Son.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)

R – Redemption is free

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