Choosing Courage When Asking God for a Miracle
By Becky Beresford
God's Brave Women - Becky's Story
How do you sum up a miracle in just a few words? I’m going to try.
Two weeks ago, we lost our sweet golden retriever, Callie. She ran out the open front door and straight into the cornfields behind our neighborhood. Our whole family piled into the cars, some of us without shoes on. But we didn’t care. We were terrified because the sun was setting and coyotes commonly roamed the farmlands around our house.
We searched for hours into the night, along with our amazing community of neighbors, family and friends. We called out for Callie to come home, hoping she would recognize our voice. But she was scared. She didn’t know what to do or who to trust. She just went into fight or flight mode and hid away from those trying to help.
The search lasted for two horrible nights. Our family was heartbroken. My boys kept telling us to find her because she was the best dog on earth. Our youngest cried for 45 minutes straight and the only thing I could do was hold him close. I could barely sleep. My body was shaking and nauseous. All I could think about was what might be happening to her in the wild. We just wanted our girl home.
But we continued to pray. We continued to ask God to lead her back to us, even when there were so many cornfields and barns she could get trapped in or hide in. It seemed impossible, like a task that was almost too much to ask for. And yet, the Lord reminded me He was able.
"It seemed impossible, like a task that was almost too much to ask for. And yet, the Lord reminded me He was able."
My mind recalled the exact words the angel Gabriel delivered to Mary as she received the news that she would give birth to the Son of God, Jesus. She didn’t know how it would even be possible, but the angel encouraged and empowered her to believe by saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV) I love the NLT’s translation of this verse: “For the word of God will never fail.”
God cannot go back on His word. It is the only sure and steadfast thing that is fail proof in our fading world. And if God says nothing is impossible or outside the realm of His ability, then I want to be brave like Mary and believe He can do it. Like the women of faith who have gone before us, I want to ask God for the bold and almost-too-big miracle.
"If God says nothing is impossible or outside the realm of His ability, then I want to be brave like Mary and believe He can do it. Like the women of faith who have gone before us, I want to ask God for the bold and almost-too-big miracle."
So, I asked Him to protect our Callie and send His angels to literally walk her back to where she belonged.
We continued to do all the things. We hung up flyers, along with other kind souls. We searched throughout the day. We put our dirty clothes and her bedding out on our porch so she could pick up our scent. I took our other dog on walks and in the car as we searched. Maybe she would smell him and follow us back. We went to farms and notified people living in the nearby cornfields. And still, no sightings from anyone. I began to wonder if my brave believing was only making it worse. Maybe I should accept the fact that she may be gone?
Saturday morning came and my oldest woke me up excitedly. “Mom, the sky is orange, but look… there’s a rainbow!” I stumbled out of bed, only to encounter the most unique morning sky I had ever seen. The magnificent arch of a rainbow spanned over the exact place Callie ran away into the cornfields days before. I stood there breathless, both in anticipation and anxiousness, as I felt the tears begin to flow once more. At that moment, in the midst of hope and heartache, I felt the Lord whisper, “I am faithful. I will keep my promises.” I closed my eyes and agreed with a truth He had proven real over and over again in my life. I chose to believe in my Father and His unchanging character, no matter what was going to happen.
"At that moment, in the midst of hope and heartache, I felt the Lord whisper, “I am faithful. I will keep my promises.” I closed my eyes and agreed with a truth He had proven real over and over again in my life. I chose to believe in my Father and His unchanging character, no matter what was going to happen."
I went out to search for her another time. But still no sight of our dog.
Then it started to rain.
At this point, my husband and I were desperate. We told the boys to get ready because we were going to ask farmers if we could search their barns. Just then, my mom (who felt nudged by God to go look for Callie) called Madison…
“Callie is in the field behind your street”, she exclaimed. This was the exact area where the rainbow was that morning! The Lord literally showed us in the sky where she would be!
Madison sprinted out toward the field, but Callie darted and ran into the neighborhood. He frantically called me in the pouring rain on his watch, and told me to get outside on our porch. Even though I could barely hear him, I ran out front, heart pounding.
As I looked across the street, I couldn’t believe it. There she was! Standing still, completely scared and confused! She was in survival mode, even though I’m sure she smelled her family.
I got down on my knees and gently called her name. She stared, listened and started to run in our direction but also between our house and the neighbor’s. I didn’t know if she would dart again… until the last second, she turned toward us and ran right into my arms! I helped her inside while 100% bawling like a baby. It was the most precious reunion for us all.
While we knew we put a good amount of effort into finding Callie, it was God who miraculously brought our girl home. Everything was perfectly orchestrated by Him and was dependent on His working. To the point where our spirits could sing only God.
But I want to clarify something… Let’s not mistake courageous faith for perfect faith. My heart wavered back and forth over the course of those three days – it was far from perfect. But courage prefers hope. Courage chooses to believe, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.
"Let’s not mistake courageous faith for perfect faith. My heart wavered back and forth over the course of those three days – it was far from perfect. But courage prefers hope. Courage chooses to believe, even when our feelings tell us otherwise."
We can be scared and brave at the same time because we choose to lean into the courage of our King. We borrow His bravery and ask Him to help us stand strong. Courageous faith isn’t focused on us, it’s founded on Christ.
"We can be scared and brave at the same time because we choose to lean into the courage of our King. We borrow His bravery and ask Him to help us stand strong. Courageous faith isn’t focused on us, it’s founded on Christ."
And now I get to tell this story of God’s faithfulness. A story representing the heart of the gospel and the events that happen in heaven when one person repents and turns back to Jesus. What celebration, relief and joy-filled tears must be shed before the throne of God when His children finally decide to come home. When they go from lost to found. When they return to the One they were made to be with. It’s a beautiful reunion unlike any other.
"What celebration, relief and joy-filled tears must be shed before the throne of God when His children finally decide to come home. When they go from lost to found. When they return to the One they were made to be with."
We have such a patient Father. Waiting. Longing. Desperate for His kids to come home and allow their souls to find safety in Him. So, let’s run hard into His secure and loving arms. Let’s choose to be women who bravely believe in God and the promises He faithfully carries out. Let’s continue to ask Him for the miracles that seem just out of reach. Because in the end, nothing is impossible with Him. Amen!
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story.
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About Becky
Becky Beresford lives in Chicago, IL and is happily outnumbered by her husband and three wild boys. She is a writer, speaker and coach with a Master’s Certificate in Discipleship from Moody Theological Seminary. Becky loves encouraging God’s Daughters to embrace their truest selves in Christ and walk out the gospel fully empowered by God.
She would love to connect with you online at BeckyBeresford.com, where she hosts the weekly Brave Women Series, featuring different women and their journeys toward courage with Jesus. Sign up to receive these inspiring stories in your inbox, and you’ll also get a copy of the Brave Woman Manifesto: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard for FREE. Follow her over on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter, and make sure to say hi! She’d love to get to know you more.