"Do You Believe In Miracles?"

In case you missed this in the news this weekend, Saturday was the 40th Anniversary of one of the greatest sports moments in history and is considered the greatest upset in sports history.  It was the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the date was February, 22, 1980.  Playing in the semi-finals, The USA hockey team, which was made up of college players, had to face what was considered the very best hockey team in the world, The Soviet Union.  The Soviets had not lost in competition since 1968 and had beaten All-Star teams in the United States.  Before the Olympics in an exhibition game these two teams played and The USA Team was embarrassed by the Soviets.

The final score forty years ago was USA 4 and the Soviets 3.  If you've never seen the final moments of this game or haven't seen it in awhile, you should look it up online under "Miracle on Ice."  As the seconds were counted down, with the American crowd on their feet cheering deliriously, the broadcaster was Al Micheals.  He raised his voice and said, "Do You Believe in Miracles?" "Yes," was his answer as time ran out on the Soviets.  The USA goaltender, Jim Craig, leaped into the air and his teammates jumped on him.  A few days later, The USA team won the gold medal and stood proudly together at the medal ceremony receiving their gold medals.

Sports doesn't get any better than that moment.  Miracles don't happen very often in sports. (although The Chicago Cubs did win The World Series in 2016 after 108 years)  Most of the time,we associate miracles in a religious way.  However, doctors preform miracles on a regular basis across the world and there have many miraculous inventions and discoveries over the years to better society.  When you see a magnificent sunrise or sunset, you may think you are seeing a miracle. When a baby is born, it really is a miracle.

A few years ago, I was driving in Pennsylvania somewhere delivering magazines and I was changing radio stations and I heard the end of a song.  I was so moved by the song I wrote down a few words and found it online and it's on my iPod and I hear it regularly today.  When you read the words below you can see how great the songwriting is.  If you look this up online and hear the song, it is a beautiful sounding song also.  This song is about as positive as a song can be and it talks about seeing miracles happen and having faith and belief in yourself.

Forty years ago a group of college students did the impossible.  Their coach, Herb Brooks, told the team before the game, " “You are born to be a player. You are meant to be here. This moment is yours. You’re meant to be here at this time."

Tomorrow is Monday, my favorite day of the week. It's a new week-make something good happen.  You can do it.

What Faith Can Do By Kutless - 

Lyrics

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can!

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise