MIRACLE MOMENTS!

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I had a few miracle moments this weekend with a real miracle worker...
Ivan Draicevic.

Two weeks ago, our private meeting wasn't even on the radar. But, that's how God works -behind the scenes, yet right in front of our faces. Bringing us bits of beauty and grace to ease our moments of quiet desperation.

Ivan is one of the original six visionaries from Medjugorje, the Bosnian village that is home to the longest running apparitions in the history of time. Millions have traveled to this faraway place seeking a closer relationship with God and divine inspiration for their lives. I personally traveled there in 1986 for an award winning news story, but quite unexpectedly, found my faith and my God in the foothills of this anointed hamlet.

As we talked and shared, I felt peacefully at home...with someone who knows the true value of our lives because his life is lived for God. He is a walking, talking example of God in action. A husband, a dad, a man of God-and yes a visionary with a vision of peace and Love for all humankind.

Ivan will tell you, as he told me, that a world without God is a world worth walking away from...because in the absence of God there is only darkness and depression...and the soul binding selfishness that leads to self destruction.

Ivan has been receiving daily visions of the Blessed Mother since June of 1981. By following her guiding hand, he has laid a foundation of faith that has given purpose and meaning to his life...and to the lives of countless individuals with whom he has spoken.

Over the last 28 years, he has counseled a cast of characters...but his true ministry is making young people feel Loved and lovable. Letting them know that with God all things are possible...without God, nothing really matters.

His patience, he says, is a gift from God...a divine advantage when he must be considerate and consoling-even when he is feeling frazzled and forlorn. But his virtue is also our gift, because Ivan has willingly welcomed so many of us into his life when he could have, just as easily, shut us out.

As I think about it, our private meeting was an unexpected gift...divine intervention...a physical manifestation of God's Love in action...and his reassurance that right now-he is removing the obstacles, outlining the opportunities and offering an open door policy for the benefit of me and my family...A few miracle moments in recognition of the power of prayer and the purpose to which we are all called.

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