Sam Collier - A greater story : my rescue, your purpose, and our place in Gods plan

Every miracle is a reaction to the impossible. I would dare say that without the impossible, miracles would not be needed. Are you in need of a miracle? If so, Im glad youre reading this book, because I was. My hope for you as we travel through what some would say is an inconceivable journey, which is my life, is that you would be inspired. Not only inspired but also filled with an unwavering hope that if God could do it for me, he can do it for you too. Heres my miracle story.

It was the fall of 2013 when my family and I found ourselves sitting inside a small studio within the thirty-seven-story NBC Tower in downtown Chicago, by way of Atlanta, Georgia. That was our first time in the Windy City. My twin sister, Sara, my father, Lamar, and my mother, Belinda, had traveled from Atlanta to be there, and now we were being taken through hair and makeup and ushered around by the senior producer, a woman named Dorothy. She seated Mom and Dad in the front row of the live studio audience and Sara and me on the couch right next to Steve Harvey the Steve Harveythe mogul, comedian, award-winning radio personality, producer, actor, author, and, most relevant to my story, television mega host. He was everywhere, doing everything it seemed, including humbly helping a pair of twenty-four-year-old twins find their birth mom. Or at least trying to help.

A year prior to this turn of events, we Colliers were sitting in the living room at the family house, watching a Falcons game, when Dad broke the only rule hed ever given us in relation to watching football: NO ONE TALKS during the game. He waited quietly until a random fourth down and then hollered, You know what you need to do?

It wasnt a question.

We knew better than to holler back, even as our expressions communicated our shock. You need to go find your parents! Dad said, his voice still raised.

What you must understand about my father is that hollering was normal for him. I doubt he even knew he was doing it. In his head, he was speaking at a normal pitch, but to us? Hollering no question. Still, we forgave him. Hes from the part of the country where everyone shouts and thinks its normal.

What are you talking about? I remember asking him.

As a family, the subject of finding our birth mother was new. Sara and I had never been interested or uninterested in finding anyone or anything, because wed never really felt that anything was lost.

Well, you need to know where you came from, Dad said. Youre getting older. I think it may be time. I mean, you dont want to grow up and marry a cousin, do you? Because that could happen! You could marry your sister or brother, and youd never know it!

Sara and I both side-eyed him, chuckled, and thought, So thats your argument, huh?

Although we didnt admit it, Dad was right. My sister and I wouldnt have known our biological cousins or siblings if they were staring us in the face.

Dad then went on to holler, And another thing. God told me Steve Harvey is going to help you do it! If he cant help you, no one can. It was in that moment I got up and left. Dad, I said as I walked out the door, I think youve lost your mind. I told my sister that she was in charge of this craziness and left.

Im sorry to tell you that nothing turned up, senior producer Dorothy had told my family. The shows producers had received Saras letter a month prior, explaining that wed been given up for adoption at birth and wanted to reunite with our biological mother and siblings, if we had any. We know that if anyone can help us, shed written, its Steve Harvey.

But evidently, even Steve Harvey has his limits. He had tried everything, we were told, but all roads led to a dead end. Still, the producer had been kind and offered, if youd like to come on the show and make a plea to the nation to help you find your mother, we will pay your way here and back... you and your parents too. It would be a nice addition to our weeklong Mothers Day specials.