This morning I read the blog of a good friend and was inspired to record some of my thoughts today, on the subject of miracles.

Christ would often refer to the sinners of the world as needing a physician. He would refer to Himself as that healer. I am sure His working of healing miracles among those who suffered mortal infirmaties was one way He taught us about the healing power of the Atonement. Nowhere in scripture is this better demonstrated than in the account found in the second chapter of Mark...

"AND again he entered into Capernaum after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark 2:1-5)

The Scribes who were witnesses to the event began to entertained angry and jealous thoughts which the Savior perceived and which He answered by testifying of His personal mission and really, to who He was:

"And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." (Mark 2:8-11)

As this story was retold and reviewed yesterday, in Sunday School, I thought of several things but most poignantly, my heart was focused on the friends of the palsied man.

Their friend, perhaps even a family member, was sick. They had the faith necessary to bring him to the Savior to be healed and they refused to give up when faced with the crowds that were keeping them from getting near Him. I thought of the family I neglected to home teach last month.

Oh, there were several reasons why I didn't visit this family, but, as I read about these singular men who climbed on the roof with their friend in tow and tore a hole in it to lower their friend to the Savior's side, none of those reasons sounded all that good to me. I confessed my sin to the class and offered a silent prayer asking God's forgiveness for my lack of tenacity last month, which really was a lack of love for this family.

For most of the remainder of the day, yesterday, I thought about the miracles in my life.

I remembered when I was the palsied man, lowered to the feet of the Savior. I remember His healing touch as He commissioned me to repent of my sins. I remember the weight of the world being lifted from my shoulders at that moment.

I remember times before my journey adrift when I had witnessed the healing miracle of the gospel come into the lives of the most humble of mankind when I served a mission. I remembered how I felt when I was sealed to my wife forever and the dark sadness I suffered when I walked away from that miracle.

I remember feeling somewhat like Alma felt during his repentance ordeal on the day my blessings were restored and the sealing to my wife and children reestablished. My exquisite pain replaced by unspeakable joy.

Then, this morning, I read my friend's blog and remembered my joy as I witnessed his return home and thanked God for what small part I might have played.

There are few men more blessed with miracles than me. I have been forgiven by God and friends and family. I have made close friends who are great examples to me but who love me in spite of my flaws. Most of all, I have been blessed with a sense of the reality of Christ and His personal commitment to me. I love the words He uses as my advocate with the Father:

"Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." (D&C 45:4-5)

Words cannot express my love nor my gratitude for my Advocate.

So, when the waves of life are boistrous and my faith wavers, it is comforting to know the Savior is there to keep me from drowning and that, more often than not, His lifeguards have names like Debra, Barney and Paul.