HAROLD KELLER

Miracles are a real part of life I believe in miracles, but I realize that some people don’t. It’s been easy for me to believe, because seven years ago, God miraculously cured my oldest daughter of acute leukemia. That was a miracle for which our family will be forever grateful. Have I seen other miracles? Yes, in fact, too many to name. Just last Sunday at church, a young man walked up to me with a big smile, a handshake, and a big hug. “Remember me?” he asked. “I remember the face,” I responded, “but refresh my memory.” “We met at McDonald’s about one-and-a-half years ago, when I was having problems with drugs,” he said. “You then suggested I go to Teen Challenge (the name is deceiving because they accept people of all ages) in Hot Springs, Ark. I stayed there four months and then I was sent to the second phase of the program in Cape Girardeau, Mo. for 10 months. I completed the program a couple of months ago.” “You seem to be doing well,” I said. “I’m doing great!” he replied. He looked great, spoke well, and was dressed as though he was going to deliver the sermon. As we chatted, he reminded me that he once had a good job at one of the local industries, with top pay, but drugs became the most important thing in his life. “Drugs ruled my life, Mr. Keller,” he commented. “I went to five substance abuse treatment centers that cost a lot of money. I called you as a last resort. I was bankrupt – mentally, spiritually, and physically. I looked in all the wrong places for a solution to my addiction. It was at Teen Challenge that I found the solution to not only my addiction, but to all of life’s problems. “I accepted Jesus as the Lord of my life and He filled the vacuum in my heart that gave me a new life.” That was just confirmation to what the Bible states in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” He thanked me for all I had done. Come to think of it, I did not do anything but send him out of town. It was God that did all the work. Yes, I believe in miracles and one of the greatest miracles is a changed life. The young man I spoke to Sunday at church was indeed a miracle. His life had been changed. HAROLD KELLER is a regular contributor to L’Observateur. He may be contacted at lobnews@bellsouth.net or 985-652-9545.