Chris attests that because we understand the fertilization of an egg, the growing embryo into a baby, and the process of birth... the creation of human life inside our bodies is not a miracle at all.
Miracles, he says, are things that cannot be understood - like the turning of water into wine, raising of the dead, or Jesus walking on the water. Some babies, babies who should have died, should be disabled, women who are supposedly infertile - but aren't, those are miracles.
I argued that just because we don't understand how Christ raised the dead, doesn't mean it can't be understood - just that it isn't. God follows the laws of nature, we just don't know all the laws of nature yet.
So when we understand how Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, does it cease to be miraculous?
Chris says yes. To us, who understand only a little, there are many miracles, but to God, who understands all, there are no miracles.
And, I guess going by the common definition of a miracle, Chris is right.
Dictionary.com says a miracle is
1. an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
But every time I look at these boys and their perfect little fingers and toes, their big eyes, their long legs, their goofy smiles, I think you are a miracle.
I imagine them inside me, somehow created from a little bit of Travis and a little bit of me - too small to even be seen by my eyes - and they've turned into real people who know when I'm in the room and like to hear me read and calm down when Travis gives them a bath or plays the guitar and I think this isn't ordinary. It's extraordinary and you are miracles.
The other two definitions given of a miracle seem more appropriate to me,
2. such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of god.
3. a wonder; marvel.
These babies are a work of God.
They are wonderful. They are marvelous.
And, I think, they are miraculous. So, I know it's sort of a deep mushy post to send you off for the weekend with - but what do you think?
Whether or not you are Christian, or religious at all - what do you think a miracle is?
And do you think that all babies are miracles - or just the ones that are here despite our understanding?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
And I'd love for you to watch this Pampers commercial, which -embarrassingly enough - made me cry.
And maybe now's a bad time, but I'd also love a vote.
I won't say it'd be a miracle if I made it to the top of the list... but I might be thinking it a little:
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9 comments:
I find things more miraculous if I understand how they happen.
i think the fact that our bodies were created in such a way to create human life within them is miraculous. perhaps we know the logistics of it, but what a miracle it is that our bodies can move cells together to create a life without us really thinking about it.
miracles happen every day.
I think the real miracles in this world is love. The real miracle of childbirth is when parents meet and instantly fall in love for life with a new being(s) they've just met. Love in any form that uplifts another person at no gain to the loving is a miracle.
I agree with the other comments but I also believe it's a miracle because of all the odds that are beaten for the egg to actually be fertilized, and for that fertilized egg to actually survive and thrive. It's something that I've studied in college of how miraculous it is that the sperm actually does find its way to an egg, and that the sperm actually takes to the egg. Our bodies are made to fight off foreign things, and without getting to detailed, we all know that a woman's body is fairly acidic. I wish I had a reference to give you right now, but I don't since I'm on a different computer. But to me, it really is a miracle, and a gift from God, because of all the odds the sperm, egg, etc., have to beat to make it work. That is something that I don't completely understand. Anyway, I love your blog and I'm not trying to sound preachy or anything like that--just giving you my opinion.
That Pampers commercial totally made me cry, too. I love that they included special needs babies.
I just started following you after seeing your posts on Spearmint Baby. Love your blog. I am a twin myself, so have a special place for the doubles!! I would love it if you would check out my blog at http://designingdawn.com Happy weekend!
I think babies are miracles that manifest themselves in a very real/explainable way to show us that miracles do exist.
I'm not Christian and not really religious but considering the amount of things that need to line up for someone to conceive and then carry to term it's definitely a miracle in my eyes.
Absolutely every little bubs is a miracle! Just cos we understand the technical process of making a baby doesn't make it 'less' of a miracle. Ask any couple who've struggled with infertility... they'll tell you!
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