I’ve caught glimpses of Christmas around this year. A baby smile. My man cub asking me if I was “K?” after I coughed. In my daughter’s modeling of the glitziest dress she could talk her daddy into buying for her Christmas concert.

I’ve seen the lights and taught Man Cub how to turn the power strip that lights the Christmas tree on and off. I’ve made a gingerbread house. I’ve made a couple of handmade gifts. I made the best batch of cookies I’ve ever baked a few days ago.

I’ve prayed for a miracle and seen one happen this week. My daddy had a scare and is on his way to recovery. Thank the Lord. He is alive and well. That’s enough to make this Christmas a little more special.

But I found Christmas sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of Cracker Barrel this afternoon. His name was Logan.

And not my Logan. He was a young man, maybe 18 or 20, and his spirit shined so bright. He embodied Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I had been inside the store shopping for a few gifts while the hubby and big girl played checkers. The man cub was occupied with a ring pop and this sweet young man and his mom were playing with Little One. She was smiling so big at this sweet young man.

I walked away smiling after I heard his story. I found Christmas in a five-minute conversation.

This Logan had been in a horrific car accident two years ago. He was in a coma for over two months. His mother told me that they doctors said there was nothing they could do. But she said he was going to live. And he did.

This young man said to me, “I was with Jesus.”

I felt like I was walking in the sunshine after he said that. I felt like I’d witnessed a miracle.

And I had. I witnessed a mother’s faith in the God who loves us and wants nothing but the best for us.

This boy came back to be a blessing. I don’t know him, but I could tell there was something about him when my Logan bumped into the table behind theirs. They were kind and asked if they could help me.

The young man took an interest in my babies – a rare occurrence in an adolescent boy. He talked to my man cub. He gave him the biggest smile.

I rushed off to the restroom to deal with a diaper disaster while this lady chatted with my mom. I know my mom got a boost today from her. I haven’t talked to her about it, but I know she did.

You can’t help but get a boost when you see a miracle walking around.

This young man had to learn to walk again. To talk again. To use a pencil.

His first victory in overcoming his paralysis was a thumbs up. His mom worked with him to get him to do that so she could care for him.

The biggest victory of the day was that he doesn’t take his life for granted. You can tell that. He is genuinely happy to meet you and talk to you. How refreshing.

He held out his hand three times and told me how nice it was to meet me.

I’ll never forget my encounter with this young man in the rocking chair.

I’ll also never forget the words his mother spoke over my children. She said, “Keep these children close to the Lord.”

Yes, ma’am.

Thank you, Logan, for blessing me today and helping me find Christmas.