A Reader Revelation from Pat Folan Webster

In a world filled with cynicism, miracles often seem non-existent. Yet I believe that ordinary occurrences, when seen through the eyes of faith, can become our “everyday miracles.” This is the story of how I came to that belief.

It was 1993 and I had been married for about a year when my husband and I decided to try to have a child. Since I already had rheumatoid arthritis for about 8 years, this would prove challenging. In the hope of fulfilling my lifelong dream of motherhood, I went off my medicines and we gave it a try.

By the end of 12 months though, I was in considerable pain, so I concluded it was not to be and resumed my medications. I was deeply disappointed, but told myself that God no doubt had something else in store for me. While I enjoyed my work as Vice President of Customer Service, lately I had been feeling that I was meant to do something more meaningful.

My heart’s deepest desire was to make a difference in peoples’ lives. I had even toyed with the idea of starting over and becoming a psychologist! But practicality ruled. I didn’t want to sacrifice my executive pay to become a student for several years without knowing how it would all work out.

At this time, my company set up a new department whose purpose was to insure the highest ethical standards throughout the organization. My long time friend was recruited to head this department, and over lunch one day, he described a new position the department would have - a corporate ombudsperson. The ombudsperson would serve as a confidential source of help to agents and employees so that they could report ethical violations, or discuss any other work- related concerns without fear of reprisal. Before my colleague could begin to recruit me, I volunteered for this job!

The company President approved my appointment, and within a few weeks, I began my work as corporate ombudsperson. I really believed this was God’s gift to me, since the job combined my particular talents with what I most enjoyed doing. I’m a good listener and love helping people solve their problems, or at least see things from a different perspective. Here I could make a difference by helping people improve their work lives, and it didn’t require going back to school. Instead I could utilize my management experience. What a fulfilling experience!

But God had another surprise in store for me as well. To my complete amazement, 3 weeks after my new job began, I found out I was pregnant! Craig and I welcomed our daughter Lauren about 8 months later. She was 5 weeks early, but perfectly healthy. So God created my dream job and fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a mother at about the same time—when I was 45 years old!! I will always believe in miracles!!!