I'm writing a book.  A spiritual book.  Now this might scare a few non-believers away.  But I am doing this for me. This experience actually happened. 

A little background: I am a fine arts conservator.  I clean and repair artwork for the private and public sector.  We were working on a figure of the deceased Christ, carved of wood, painted, and part of a large series: "Stations of the Cross," created in Munich between 1893-1901 by the Meyer Company (still in existence today).  

My assistant never worked on the flesh repair of the figures.  That was a little more difficult.  With that in mind, she worked basically on backgrounds and clothing.  This day, as I worked several stations from hers, she decided to try her hand at re-touching the figure of Jesus.  Then I heard a small "Eek!"  As I turned, she had jumped and said: 

"He moved!  Jesus moved!" 

I am a convert to Roman Catholicism.  I had heard of miracles, but I had never seen one, personally.  We talked, laughed about it and didn't take it very seriously.

Until it happened again. 

My assistant refused to work on the figure of Jesus again.  She went on to a totally different station, never to return to that one.  And so I would be the one to work on this.  Now remember, these are wooden, hand-carved and hand-painted figures.  Up to five figures make up the total sculptural station.  This being station #13 (for those of you who may be Catholic), this is the deposition, or Christ coming down off the cross.  Over a ton of wood -- the figures cannot move! 

But that evening...Christ moved for me!  I was alone, working on the face of Nicodemus when I decided to work on the torso of Jesus.  I felt it at first like a breath of air...and then a definite nudge.  I pushed back at the figure and it did not budge.  I fell to my knees in fear and awe.  The spirit moved not only me and my co-worker, but an inanimate piece of wood.  It would be weeks later when Sister Marie would, without cause, ask me if I noticed anything unusual about Station #13.

You will say this is a National Enquirer kind of thing.  I know, it sounds kind of strange...but I have had changes in my life several times over the years: the birth of my children, the death of my mother, and now my first miracle.

Believe me?  Well, you needn't.  It's just something I like to share with those who know me well as well as certain new friends. Thanks for reading this.

Jeffrey P. Rouse
Used by permission.