Have you ever stood in a moment and thought, “Surely, this is not how the story ends?”

I have…and I bet we could all tell more stories than we care to tell. Three years ago, I was sitting in the hospital with my daughter 6 weeks into her freshman year of high school receiving a devastating diagnosis. Her high school days of homecomings and proms and Friday night lights felt dead. This WAS NOT how I thought the story should go. We had the suffering card in hand. We had checked that box on the bingo card. I was sure that the ‘trouble of the world’ had passed over my door like the angel of death. It had not. 

Whether it’s the ache of losing someone, the death of a dream, or a season of transition that feels like it’s unraveling—you’re not alone. Loss comes in many forms. But so does resurrection.

The beautiful thing about God is that he never wastes pain but honestly WE CAN. In fact, throughout Scripture, it’s often the ones who have suffered the most who are positioned to see his power most clearly. I fully believe THE DIFFERENCE in the people who suffered great pain and others is that they surrendered their pain and OBEYED in spite of it. 

One of those people?
Mary, the mother of Jesus.

And tucked within her story is a blueprint—not just for surviving heartbreak—but for stepping into the miraculous invite Jesus offers us all.

The Wedding at Cana: A Divine Disruption

In John 2:1–12 (TPT), we read about Jesus’ first miracle.

It wasn’t on a battlefield.
Not in a temple.
But at a wedding.

And the miracle began not with Jesus—but with Mary.

“Jesus and his disciples were all invited to the banquet, but with so many guests, they ran out of wine. And when Mary realized it, she came to Jesus and asked, ‘they have no wine; can’t you do something about it?'”

John 2:2–3 TPT

She saw the need.
She brought it to Jesus.
And she fully expected him to move.

Even when Jesus responded with, “My hour of unveiling my power has not yet come” (v. 4), she turned to the servants and said:

“Whatever Jesus tells you, do it!”

John 2:5 TPT

Mary knew her Son.
She knew his heart.
And she knew—this wasn’t the end of the story.

How Do Miracles Begin?

If you’ve been feeling like the miracle hasn’t come yet, maybe this is the moment to lean in. Because Mary’s story reveals how God often works—especially in those who carry loss, longing, or disappointment.

1. She Perceived the Need.

Mary didn’t ignore the problem—she noticed it first.

Loss has a way of either numbing us or making us incredibly aware. You may not feel like you have much right now, but chances are, you’ve been noticing things others miss.

That’s not weakness—it’s discernment.

“I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling.”

Ephesians 1:18 TPT

What if your sensitivity isn’t a liability—but it’s actually a gift of the Holy Spirit!?

2. She Presented the Request.

Mary didn’t try to fix it.
She didn’t panic.
She simply brought it to Jesus.

“Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

Matthew 7:7 TPT

Sometimes grief or disappointment keeps us from asking. We assume God doesn’t want to be bothered, or that our prayers won’t change anything. But Mary reminds us:

It’s not about understanding the outcome. It’s about trusting the Source.

God doesn’t need elaborate requests—just surrendered hearts.

3. She Prepared for Overflow.

Mary turned to the servants and said, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

She didn’t need details. She didn’t wait for conditions to be perfect. She simply stepped into faith.

“So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!”

Hebrews 10:23 TPT

That’s what faith looks like—expectancy in the face of uncertainty.

From Brokenness to Boldness

Maybe you’ve been carrying sorrow, waiting for the next chapter. Maybe you’ve wondered if God still wants to use your life. Hear this:

Your loss doesn’t disqualify you. It positions you.

Even on the cross, Jesus paused to care for Mary. He didn’t overlook her pain. He made provision for her future (see John 19:26–27).

And the last time we see Mary in Scripture?

“Those present were Peter, John, Jacob, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Jacob (the son of Alpheus), Simon (the zealot), Judas (the son of Jacob), and a number of women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. His brothers were there as well. All of them were united in prayer, gripped with one passion, interceding night and day.”

Acts 1:13–14 TPT

She was still believing.
Still expecting.
Still praying to receive more for what was to come.

And so are you.

You Are a Catalyst

The miracle didn’t begin with Jesus turning water into wine.
It began with someone who saw, asked, and obeyed.
That someone could be you.
Your obedience might look like:

• Forgiving someone
• Showing up again
• Praying when it hurts
• Believing when it’s hard
• Acting boldly to pray for someone who has a health crisis 

“So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!”

Hebrews 10:23 TPT

Let this be the moment you say:
“Whatever he tells me, I’ll do it.”

Because that is where the miracle begins.

You were made for more than survival.
You were made to carry the miraculous.

Widow’s Might is a 365-day devotional offering powerful stories of women who have walked the path of widowhood and found solace, strength, and peace along the way. Each day provides

• comforting Bible verses and teachings to grow your confidence in God’s goodness,
• encouraging messages to support you on your hardest days, and
• uplifting prayers to renew your hope and grow closer to God.

Join a community of widows whose wisdom will guide you on your healing journey, helping you surrender to Jesus and find refuge in his arms. Watch as God transforms your suffering into joy. Click here to learn more.