The Invisible Miracle of Community
“It was a miracle” my daughter commented a year later when reflecting on the community that came together as a cohesive unit during a traumatic time. They came to support and encourage a brain injured young man and his family. 
“There were always groups of people at the hospital. Even if they never saw him, they would talk to his parents–cousins, relatives, friends, someone was there all the time. All that energy, it makes me wonder.”
And a wonder that thin line between life and the hereafter, one voice declared him dead, another voice insisted not to quit. 
What part played the rising tide of positive and prayerful intentions coalescing into an invisible miracle?
An Evolving Invisible Miracle
The young man continues to make a remarkable recovery as he carves a new life, obliged to learn who he is all over again as memories resurface. Others tell him of the relationships he had before the car crash but he must work to remember and know their significance. He and his former girlfriend are taking things slowly, and as friends. Their wisdom belies their youth. Tragedy gives pause to consider priorities and discourages clinging to old ways of relating that are no longer relevant. The evolving miracle points to their futures as each determines a life course–discovering who they are and what they want to do.
Perhaps inspired by her hospital experience the former girlfriend considers a future as a paramedic. 
Advocating for her dying boyfriend within the medical establishment showed empowerment benefits, revealing the power of faith and her deep capacity to help others. She, too, needs time to reconfigure her life.
Possibility exists for the birth of a new relationship as a couple but the old one died in the crash. If they come together again as a couple they will be stronger for having first claimed their individuality.
Forty Invisible Miracle Days
Before the launch of Jesus’ ministry, to discover his destiny he walked into a desert leaving behind all that was familiar. Forty days of reflection revealed his life path. Forty days are figurative but we must all take pause when determining the next phase in a life journey. The desert is a dry place to ponder often mirroring our struggle throughout such periods of discernment. 
We are invisible and alone with our thoughts. Only God serves as our witness and, perhaps, our confidant. We weigh the benefits and the risks, the potential and the pitfalls. In embracing the new we must often discard the old. It is risky business. For what balance do we strive? Are we even able to define it?
God answers prayer but its fulfillment may take much working out. We must apply our energies to make it so. The recovering young man knows this. So does his former girlfriend. So must we. This is how invisible miracles work.
The next blog post will start a new discussion theme called: Tense Times.
Where has community served you in producing an invisible miracle in your life?