When I was a kid I believed in miracles. All kids do. In fact that’s the best part about being a kid. You believe in practically everything and everyone.
You believe in Santa, cowboys, Bigfoot, love songs, happy endings, and you seriously believe that if Rachel Alison kisses you it means you’re automatically married.
Personally, I was a big believer in eating SpaghettiOs for breakfast. I also believed in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and especially in Dale “The Intimidator” Earnhardt. I believed in angels, in magic, and most of all I believed in miracles.
But something changed over the years. I quit believing in stuff. I can trace this change back to fourth grade when my family life sort of went downhill.
By fifth grade, my home life completely fell apart, and shortly thereafter things got even worse when my father used a hunting rifle to remove himself from our lives.
That same year I learned some basic lessons about human nature. Firstly, I learned that nobody—nobody—knows how to deal with you after you’ve experienced trauma. So they just don’t.
Friends quit returning calls. People instinctively distance themselves from you. They don’t mean any harm, but you end up getting blackballed just the same. Eventually you become a kind of foreigner in your own homeplace.
Which is why I dropped out of school, I felt like a sideshow among my peers.
By high-school age I was working on construction sites, and I was missing out on teenage rites of passage like homecoming, prom, football games, applying toilet paper rolls to trees, and mooning law enforcement officials on spring break.
The way I grew up left me disappointed with this world. I was disenchanted. And miracles? Don’t make me gag.
But one summer when I was an adult, this too would change.
I had just finished my high-school equivalency classes and enrolled in community college. I was trying to get my life back together.
I took a psychology night class that was filled with plumbers, food service workers, cocktail waitresses, and single mothers with infant car seats parked beside their desks.
I wasn’t thrilled about this class, I’m not particularly into Freud, and night classes are miserable. But I remember our professor was a nice woman, with wire-rimmed glasses and coiffed hair who gave great lectures.
One night during a class she told us that she believed in miracles. And she made a big thing about all this, and about how deeply she believed in the supernatural.
Pretty soon the whole class was in on the discussion. Students started joining in and describing miracles they had witnessed firsthand in vivid detail, and this confessional lasted for two solid hours until everyone had shared their own miracle story.
Our teacher concluded by explaining that humans are hardwired to believe in the power of good. We all need this belief. Our biology needs it. Our cells need it. To deny ourselves this human need would be like refusing water, or like swearing off calories—which doesn’t work because my aunt actually tried this once.
That night, I remember sitting in this professor’s classroom with my mouth slightly open and moisture gathering in my eyes because for the first time I realized I had let this world steal something beautiful from me. A little piece of my soul.
The soul, I believe, is your body’s flight recorder. Your little black box. Throughout your life your brain forgets stuff, but your soul doesn’t.
Your soul recalls every heartache, every sadness, and every time the kids on the schoolbus scooted away from you. The soul carries every pain, every scrape, every contusion.
But the beauty of the soul is that it also remembers every miniature miracle. Whether or not your brain chooses to acknowledge these miraculous events, your soul already knows them to be real.
The soul will forever remember the elderly woman from church who once gave you $600 in secret to pay your rent.
Your soul will remember the complete stranger who embraced you at your father’s funeral while you ruined the man’s shirt with tears.
The soul remembers the night you almost had a head-on collision in Geneva County, but didn’t.
Your soul keeps it all.
But if you’re not careful, some will try to paint over your soul with mud. The sting of living will make you numb inside, and pretty soon you’ll find it much easier to believe in nothing.
Which is why I’m writing to you. I want to remind you not to give up believing in good. Yes, I know this all sounds painfully simple, and that’s because it is.
But the truth is you can be happy. You can find peace, true meaning, fulfillment, purpose, or whatever buzzwords float your rubber ducky. You can find it. I can’t tell you how. I can’t tell you where, and neither can any mass-market paperback. But I can tell you this:
You can become everything the haters said you’d never be. You can prove your naysayers wrong. You can hug people who once blackballed you, people who hurt you deeply, and you can honestly forgive their human shortcomings. You can forgive yourself, too, while you’re at it. You can become like a kid again.
But you can only do such wondrous, spectacular, monumental things if you believe in miracles. And I sincerely hope you do.
Because you are one.
62 comments
Steve McCaleb - June 5, 2021 7:22 am
I’ll name another miracle my friend …..YOU ! How you you manage to lift up, inspire, encourage and give the equivalent of a verbal hug to thousands of people every morning is nothing short of a miracle. I can only hope and pray that you have some idea of the warm friendship that shows itself in everything you write. May the Good Lord bless you and yours
Donna Rotenberry - June 5, 2021 8:45 am
Thank you for this sharing. The last six years have been a particularly hard struggle and with this morning’s story you have renewed my determination to overcome my depression and revived my hope. Your uplifting, joyful stories are a blessing.
Dee Garbarino - June 5, 2021 8:57 am
I love your thoughts. I love how you paint such a clear picture with words. I am sure you are helping people more than you realize. So sorry for your loss; I will pray for you.
Nancy Hutcheson - June 5, 2021 7:09 pm
Sean,” I believe in miracles…I’ve seen a soul set free…miraculous the change in one redeemed by Calvary….I’ve seen the lillies of the field push through the stubborn sod…I believe in miracles, for I believe in God!!!” Lyrics to a Christian hymn. Very thought-provoking blog…very touching.
Lily Kerr - June 5, 2021 9:44 am
Sean, In my belief system, I believe the Lord not only speaks to you with words and infinite insights, but He also speaks through you. God has made beauty through your hands, from the ashes of your father’s hand. You’ve been a good and faithful steward of His gift – the miracle -of the written word. My soul is stilled, yet again, as you and your God, have applied comfort and healing.
Sandi Krym - June 5, 2021 9:47 am
A friend, just this morning introduced you to me. Lovely and inspiring!
Ann - June 5, 2021 10:34 am
This is soul deep, beautiful and so encouraging from you who has been there and moved forward to the amazing person you are today…..living proof….bless you.
Dean - June 5, 2021 10:37 am
Great column i needed it this morning. Thanks
Linda - June 5, 2021 10:47 am
You, are so many of our miracles. In so many way your life mirrors ours. In turn the miracle you give is eternal in your words. We have the gift to pass you along for generations to come. One day when we are long from this world, sitting in our home in the eastern sky, there will be decades of people after us who receive a miracle after reading your words or hearing your voice (love the podcast). They will live, have hope, laugh and cry. I hope you see what a miracle that is. You make someone who may have forgotten, believe in good and that there is a God. I don’t know your belief but obviously, the good Lord has big plans for you. He gave you your trials to mold you into the vessel you are today. No one on earth can can do what you do, the way you do it. Thank you for listening to that still small voice in you and thank God for not letting you give up.
Eliza - June 5, 2021 11:04 am
Wow! Seems like I say that a lot after reading your words. Thank you so much for reminding my soul of the good.
Steve - June 5, 2021 11:12 am
Thank You sir. Needed that.
Carolyn Sue Rhodus - June 5, 2021 11:29 am
Wow..just WOW !!! How I would love to hear this aloud in your voice !!!! Thank you again for touching our inner most parts ❤
Holly Decherd - June 5, 2021 11:32 am
What a wonderful message! And, don’t discount the miracle of that night class psychology teacher. Now, she was a miracle for each of you. And, she passed it on so that you could pass it on…so beautifully. May each of us be a miracle others lives, as you are to so many. May blessings shower you and your loved ones.
Madeline Hollon - June 5, 2021 11:36 am
This Is among my favorite columns of yours. Thank you.
Linda Clayton - June 5, 2021 11:49 am
Thank you, Sean. This is just what I needed as I’m feeling a bit down today. My husband passed away three years ago and today would have been our 63rd wedding anniversary. You are a blessing!
Charles Vianey - June 5, 2021 11:58 am
Sean, this may be your most important article you’ve written. Thank you.
Diana - June 5, 2021 11:58 am
Thank you for these beautiful words. So true and I will read this again and again…to not forget. Bless you!
BJ - June 5, 2021 12:03 pm
Thank God for miracles! There’s so many we take for granted! Thank you, Sean, for sharing your inspirations.
Tim Fisher - June 5, 2021 12:07 pm
Well said…but you forgot to tell the greatest miracle of all…Jesus bringing dead men and women back to life…first the soul, then the body.
Bob - June 5, 2021 12:11 pm
Good Morning and Thank You Sean! Like you and perhaps many, I experienced great loss when my wife and I lost a child. And so, I can fully empathize with our societies inability to deal with those who face great loss or trauma. I never did question or lose my belief in miracles though because in my darkest hours those miracles began to manifest and have never left off. Your reminder today is beautiful and I hope it helps many. I’m sure it will!
Bill Harris - June 5, 2021 12:20 pm
Thank you Sean. God bless you.
Bobbie - June 5, 2021 12:27 pm
You are a beautiful soul, Sean Dietrich! Thanking God that He brought you into our lives. One of the miracles our souls will remember.
God bless you ❤️
Jean - June 5, 2021 12:27 pm
I believe!
joan moore - June 5, 2021 12:32 pm
God bless you! That’s what we all needed to hear… again and again!
Megan Frola - June 5, 2021 12:42 pm
Lovely. Thank you.
Suellen - June 5, 2021 12:51 pm
I want to go back and hug that little boy that you were when you quit believing in miracles. This is a reminder to all of us to make a special effort to be kind because we don’t know what others are going through. You have a special talent to touch and uplift all of us. Maybe you had to go through everything you did to hone that talent. Hugs to the grown up Sean for bringing a bit of sunshine to us every morning.
BRENA DAVIS - June 5, 2021 1:00 pm
YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM TOUCH MY SOUL !!
Mary - June 5, 2021 1:14 pm
Beautiful!
Lamar Martin - June 5, 2021 1:20 pm
Great reassurance in these difficult times. 😁👏👏
Annie Sommers - June 5, 2021 1:31 pm
Dear, dear Sean. What a Blessing and Miracle you are to me. Thank you for the very kind words. Need them this morning.
Karen Holderman - June 5, 2021 1:34 pm
Thank you . I lost my joy for a while and let go of those little miracles that had and have in my life. Sometimes it is still challenging. I do believe everyone who commented said it all.
Beth Wannamaker - June 5, 2021 1:50 pm
One of your best! Thank you! All of us need to hear this almost daily.
Al Cato - June 5, 2021 2:08 pm
Each morning I read a devotional by Max Lucado. Then I read my Bible to remind myself to listen for the voice of God to speak to my heart. Next I read your blog Sean. Each day I go to church with these readings and am Blessed. Each one plays a major part in my Blessings. Your blog Sean is a little church and we, the congregation, gather to be reminded that there is Hope, Goodness, Miracles with the most important part of it all, Faith. Thank you.
Lifetime Chicago - June 5, 2021 2:13 pm
Thank you, this is truly one of your most beautiful pieces and that is how God works when you need to read something to keep your faith and this story pops up in my email.
Christina - June 5, 2021 2:20 pm
Maybe miracles are God’s way of blowing our minds away and spreading hope again?
Julie S - June 5, 2021 2:25 pm
I somehow found one of your writings, about a week is so ago. I am so glad I did. I look forward to you every day. Each time after reading your writings, I simply say WOW!! I keep thinking, well, tomorrow can’t beat today-/so very wrong. Everyday is a WOW! I look forward to each day’s writing. Miracles, the world would be a better place, if we all believed in miracles. Thank you.
Dee Thompson - June 5, 2021 2:26 pm
Lovely and so true. I asked God for a miracle on my 4oth birthday. I asked him to give me a family, even though I wasn’t even dating anyone and I was too old to get pregnant. I stopped worrying about how I was going to have children and just turned the whole problem over to God and resolved to quit fretting over what I couldn’t control. Seven months later I saw a little blonde girl in a Russian orphanage and I knew I had found my child; I started the adoption right after I got home. Two years later I adopted my son. My children were not babies when they came into my life but they became my babies.. Miracles are real.
Pat - June 5, 2021 3:02 pm
Thank you Sean…much needed today!
Ernie - June 5, 2021 3:14 pm
I agree with the many others who feel you are a miracle in our lives. Thank you!
DAVID A WILSON - June 5, 2021 3:31 pm
GREAT writing!!!
Sandra Wolfe - June 5, 2021 3:40 pm
This column sounds like my life Sean. Many similarities hit home.
Patricia Gibson - June 5, 2021 4:13 pm
Love you Sean
maxnayagus - June 5, 2021 4:17 pm
I believe. 😍❤️🙏
Nana - June 5, 2021 4:28 pm
“Throughout your life your brain forgets stuff, but your soul doesn’t.” Wow. You went right where it hurts on that one. Only a person who has experienced deep sorrow can aptly describe it. You do that.
Jan - June 5, 2021 4:30 pm
Once again, I am speechless after reading your gift to each person who is blessed to have found you Sean. Thank you just doesn’t cover it but those are the only words I can come up with.
Linda Moon - June 5, 2021 5:44 pm
Being born and becoming a kid is a miracle. Some of my people were so very much like your fourth & fifth grade family, Sean. It was an awful time in our family. The young kids were about your age, and now they’re miracles of survival who had some challenging uphill climbs along the way. One just passed his 1,000 mile-mark on a literal uphill climb two days ago! You are a good and wondrous miracle, too. Never let your soul forget that!
Carol K. Rice - June 5, 2021 6:35 pm
GREAT!
Bill - June 5, 2021 7:47 pm
Sean, You must have gotten an “A” in your psych class because you hit the nail on the head. We all have human shortcomings. We get past them if we don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill. This all comes with maturity, and we all know, or at least we should realize, that people mature at different times and in different degrees. This is mainly because we are all different. How boring would life be if we were all the same.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Bill
Debbie g - June 5, 2021 7:56 pm
What is kept in our souls what an awesome thought. Thank you Sean we all love you
Cyn Lyon - June 5, 2021 8:38 pm
Beautiful and affirming
MAM - June 5, 2021 9:52 pm
Thank you is insufficient, but it is all I have. You give us all hope with your words every day. Thank you, Sean Dietrich!
Skip John's - June 5, 2021 10:41 pm
True and excellent, Sean. Your gift is great, please keep sharing it, and making everyone’s lives better.
Gordon - June 5, 2021 11:33 pm
Wonderful words, Sean. Thank you for providing hope to your readers.
Steve Winfield (Lifer) - June 5, 2021 11:58 pm
YOU’RE SO RIGHT!
It’s not always big either.
Tonight I was hungry. Publix is 1 mile away but out of my price range but I went there anyway. The best pizza they have is $10 for a medium. More like a small-med. Well, it was on sale for $4.65 as were the ice cream, Diet Coke & 3 other items.
BANK!
God always looks out for me & that, my friend, is a miracle.
I love you & Jamie & you always make my day.
Life is good.
Melanie - June 6, 2021 1:14 am
Preaching the Truth, Brother Sean ☺️🙏🏻🙌🏻👏🏻👍🏻 Did this old soul good. Thanks.
Belle - June 6, 2021 3:05 am
Thank you for your positive postings that help on “down days”. This one came for me on a day when all my heartstrings were breaking. Appreciate you and your words.
elizabethroosje - June 6, 2021 3:23 am
great writing and very true! I love how your had such a profound realization in that class; what a special lady that teacher was and is!!!
Todd Reaves - June 6, 2021 2:05 pm
“The soul will forever remember…”. I love that. Thank you.
Lynda Gayle Knight - June 6, 2021 10:53 pm
This one is a keeper for sure! Deep thoughts in a well written column ❣️
Kathy - June 7, 2021 5:39 pm
I love you as a human being that brings light and smiles to people that have had neither for a very long time. Blessing to you Sean..
Never change the miracle that you are …
Sheri K - June 8, 2021 5:33 pm
God has given you a talent which I’m so glad you share with us. My soul rejoices over the hope you instill!!! Thank you and thank God!!
Nick - June 11, 2021 4:14 pm
Brother Sean, following several months (thanks to my wife, Donna) but first time commenting. Christ is the light of the world, and all of us who call him “Lord”, are called to share that light — using our specific talents and abilities — to proclaim His Love to all. Thank you for doing this so well! While raised Baptist, I had to ‘swim the Tiber’, and as a Catholic must add to your list of miracles the greatest miracle which played out each day around the world, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, when a priest asks the Holy Spirit to change bread and wine into the Body & Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Since every action of the Son of God are eternal (time is one of God’s creations out of nothing), the Mass is not a repeat of His Crucification; rather it is an entering into that single eternal action. Since one-third of my fellow Catholics do not seem to appreciate this, I must take every opportunity to remind us; this is the unbroken teaching of the Catholic Church for over 2,000 years!
Peace & Blessings to you and Jamie! Our prayers are with you! Nick & Donna