Do Miracles Happen in Threes?

This story is based on true events. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of those persons involved.

James Simmons was “Philly Tough.” He stood 6 foot 5 inches tall and weighed 250 pounds. This was down from his playing days of 320 pounds. He was also a former Professional Football Player. Fear rarely knocks on his door. Pain is a constant companion. Toughness is a required trait for any professional athlete. You fear no man, no amount of pain can defeat you. You are tougher than any opponent. On this late February day, fear and pain had not only come to his door they entered his home.

One sentence from Doctor Christina Hayashi brought James Simmons’ world crashing down around him. “Mr. Simmons, your daughter has tested positive for COVID-19 - The Coronavirus. You, as well as everyone in your household must be tested promptly.” His concern turned to his wife, Layla. He needed to tell her their daughter, Rayne has contracted the Coronavirus and that the two of them needed to be tested. 

MIRACLE #1

James and Layla Simmons both were COVID-19 Negative!

James was used to having answers especially when it came to his family. He was the judge, the jury, and the executioner. He always had a thought, idea, an opinion, a viewpoint. Today, James Simmons, “The Answer Man”, had no answers! He had spent 20 years protecting quarterbacks. COVID-19 did to him what many defensive linemen had not; it left him questioning his toughness. James’ attention now turned to his daughter Rayne. His baby girl, now 25 years old, was in the hospital, on a ventilator, struggling to breathe, scared and alone. The king of the castle, the man of the house, Husband…Daddy, was struggling to fix the family problems. He needed help. He needed to speak to his wife. James and Layla met while attending Penn State University. She thought he was a jock, and he thought she was a snooty suburban girl. Thirty-five years and three children later they were still making things work.

Layla Simmons was the rock of the family. James often called her, ‘The Prayer Lady.” If you had a problem, Layla had a prayer for it. James depended on his wife to make sense of things when he himself could not. As he walked past their home-office, James heard his wife’s voice. “The prayer Lady” was praying. The longer he listened, the more he heard a second voice. Mother and daughter were face timing.

MIRACLE #2

James prays!

James walked into the room and placed his hand upon his wife’s shoulder. It only took a second before Layla placed her hand on his. As James shared this moment of prayer and love with his wife and daughter, an odd thought crossed his mind - when was the last time you prayed and there was no food to be blessed?

Seventeen days later, Doctor Christina Hayashi informed James and Layla that Rayne could go home. What seemed like months had been three weeks and twenty-one very unforgettable days. The three of them walked to the car to go home. As the Simmons Family continued their journey, James glanced in his rearview mirror to look at his wife and daughter. He saw his adult daughter with her head on her mother’s shoulder. James had seen that picture a thousand times. He wished he could frame that picture. He heard his wife ask if everyone would feel up to going to Church on Sunday. James could hear a faint ok mommy from his daughter. James did not respond, but he could not think of an excuse either.

MIRACLE #3

James goes to Church!

Five Days later, James, Layla and Rayne attended Church together. As they walked up the pathway, James was reminded by the Church sign, today was Communion Sunday. They had much to be thankful for. The cracker and grape juice appeared so small in the huge hands of James Simmons. He smiled in realization that GOD had given him everything he needed. He glanced at his loving wife and his healing daughter. The three of them were where they should have been… together in Church. Maybe, miracles do happen in threes!