When the Sea Doesn’t Part: Recognizing God’s Daily Miracles

“The Israelites were trapped. The Red Sea was on one side, the army of Pharaoh was advancing on the other. Their escape from Egypt, it seemed, would be short lived. But God had a message for the Israelites that He wanted them to remember for generations. “Fear ye not…The Lord shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:14). And Moses, by the power of God, parted the Red Sea.

What an incredible experience that would have been, to witness such an extraordinary miracle. I wonder though, how many miracles do we miss in our lives while focusing on the Red-Sea-sized miracles?

A little over two years ago, we had our son Liam. When I found out I was pregnant we had been married for 9 years. We both hoped for children, but we struggled with unexplained infertility. After a multitude of testing we were told, “There’s nothing wrong but you’re young...it’ll work itself out.” As you can imagine, this experience over the years was difficult, mostly because of the unknown.

During these years, it could have been easy to focus primarily on the Red-Sea-sized miracle I so desperately wanted--children. Our efforts to start a family brought sadness and mourning but also brought so much sweetness and cherished experiences. As I focused on my role as an Aunt, a friend, and a church leader, I was so fulfilled by the children around me. This didn’t always come easy.

I remember one Sunday the children got up and sang to the church congregation. I vividly recall holding back tears as I processed the idea that I may never have a son or daughter in that program. However, I also remember clearly being filled with strength and I could feel my Savior’s love for me and for the children around me. I experienced small miracles in my life daily, and as I look back, I can spot even more than I could comprehend then.

Through the difficult seasons in our lives, we may become callused, resentful, and even question the Lord’s timing. It is easy to get wrapped up focusing on the Red-Sea-sized miracles causing us to miss the small miracles that are present in our daily lives. In my moments of hardship and even despair, what brought me the most happiness was a heart of gratitude. As I practiced daily gratitude, my eyes were open to the miracles in my life.

When hardships come, because they will, how do we equip ourselves with the ability to see these miracles?

President Russell M Nelson has invited us to “seek and expect miracles.” He goes on to say, “Moroni assured us that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in him, doubting nothing. Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ ‘giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength’” (Isaiah 40:29).

While our son’s birth was quite literally our Red-Sea-sized miracle, it was not the only miracle I witnessed. Had I focused solely on the absence of the miracle I was desperate for, I could have become hardened, resentful, and even lost my faith. I have learned through this trial that regardless of whether we receive the miracle we hope and pray for, God is constantly working in our lives. As we trust Him and pray for the faith to see miracles in our lives, I know that we will experience the sweetness of life, through the bitterness.

They often say motherhood is hard, and don’t get me wrong, it is…but a miracle I recognize daily is the ability I have to cherish every moment of motherhood, the good and the bad, because of the bitterness of my experience.

God is a God of miracles and He will continuously fight for us, but he cannot force us to see it.

Jaimi Baxter grew up in Palmer. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.