Steve Stranghoener

Ferguson Miracle Steve Stranghoener

Have you ever witnessed a miracle; a supernatural occurrence that can only be explained through God's divine intervention? Sometimes they are so commonplace they're easy to overlook, like the baptism of a tiny infant. I experienced something miraculous for over three years but it drew little attention since it was overshadowed by a tragedy that sent shock waves around the globe. The shooting death of teenager Michael Brown spawned a movement and national narrative that continues to echo throughout the land. In 2014, the seemingly endless, visceral images of protests, riots and seething anger that streamed from Ferguson, Missouri threatened to tear our country apart. I occupied an eye witness perch less than two miles from the epicenter. Although engulfed in the nearby madness, I found a sanctuary in a small private school, free from the hatred and racial animus that could have dragged us into the gaping national divide formed by the Ferguson-effect. While everything around us burned, literally and figuratively, the watchwords at nearby Lutheran High School North remained peace, harmony, unity and love ... the love of Jesus Christ. There has been plenty of commentary on the political, social and economic ramifications of what occurred in Ferguson. This is meant to offer a different perspective and shed some light on the miracle that sprang forth in the midst of the mayhem in, of all places, North's classrooms and dusty football practice fields where young warriors honed their skills to pursue dreams of gridiron glory. For me, this led to an unmistakable conclusion ... God truly works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).