Today, we’re diving in to another miracle from America’s illustrious history. It’s been a bit since I’ve done one of these posts, and I thought it was high time for another.

But before we get started with that, I wanted to share some good news with you.

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Now, on to today’s miracle study. 😉

Perhaps many of you remember learning about the expeditions of Lewis and Clark years ago in school. You might have even read part or all of their journals.

But today I am bringing you the account of one of the miracles that took place on that expedition so long ago.

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Sacagawea has become a household name for many of us here in America. The brave, young Indian woman who guided Lewis and Clark on much of their expedition westward. She is really a legend to many of us.

I mean, it’s hard not to admire a woman who trekked over mountains and rivers, hills and streams, all while caring for and carrying a young infant, is it not? In many ways she is a picture of the American spirit. Indomitable, courageous, and formidable.

When she was only twelve years old, she was captured by the Hidatsa, an enemy tribe. During her captivity, she married Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian trapper who was living among the Hidatsa tribe.

Fast forward to 1803. Thomas Jefferson had just signed the Luisiana purchase, which added some 530,000,000 acres of land to our fledgling country. The only problem was that it was wild country that was almost completely uncharted. No one knew what was out there waiting to be discovered.

Jefferson appointed two courageous men with pioneer spirits and military backgrounds to lead a force of men into the vast expanse and chart the territory. Their names of course were, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

The group of men they raised was one filled with un-daunting bravery and fortitude. These men were not your typical guys. They had to have experience in areas that would prove vital for their existence in the rugged terrain of the west. After all, they would be gone on their journey for over two years.

The first half of their journey went well. The terrain wasn’t quite as treacherous as the upcoming terrain would be. But as winter began to approach, it was evident that they needed to find a place to shelter until the spring. They camped near the Hidatsa tribe.

Word reached Sacagawea’s husband, Charbonneau, of the group’s arrival, and he and Sacagawea went to meet with them. Charbonneau suggested to Lewis and Clark that it would be wise of them to hire him and his wife to go along with them going forward. Sacagawea was fluent in both the Hidatsa language, as well as Shoshone. This knowledge of the languages would prove vital for the success of their mission.

Lewis and Clark agreed to hire them as interpreters, and as soon as spring’s thaw touched their part of the world, they would set out.

In February, Sacagawea gave birth to her firstborn son. This would mean that when they set out on their arduous journey in the first part of April, she would be caring for a two-month-old baby.

From the accounts recorded by Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea played an important role in the expedition moving forward. She foraged for foods that sustained them, interpreted with any native people they came across, and used her knowledge of the land to help them.

In August of the same year, they reached a point where the only way they would survive and continue on was if they somehow came into possession of horses to ride the rest of the way. They’d never make it if they didn’t have horses.

It was decided that they would seek out the native tribes and barter with them for horses. The likelihood of it coming together was very slim. Why would the Indians trade their most valued possession with a group of white men?

Regardless, it was the expedition’s only hope. They sought out the tribe. When they finally find a small group of the native tribes, they were led back to their camp. Sacagawea was of course with them, and as they approached the tribe, they were met with an Indian woman. Upon seeing her, Sacagawea ran and embraced her. The two women could barely contain their exuberance. This woman had been one of the girls captured alongside Sacagawea, but who had managed to escape and return to her native tribe.

Finally, the group sat down with the tribal leaders to negotiate their proposal. This would either make or break the entire expedition. Sacagawea joined them, as the interpreter. She sat with her eyes down toward the ground, not lifting them to the men. Until at one point, she looked up into the face of the Chief. Instantly, she burst into tears and threw her arms around him.

Those present were utterly confused by what was taking place. They couldn’t understand what she was saying, but could sense that something pivotal was taking place.

They came to find that the now-Chief was Sacagawea’s brother. Their reunion was so moving that both Lewis and Clark recorded the account in their journals.

The timely reunion of an Indian chief and his sister who had been kidnapped as a child, could only have been the hand of The Timeless Anchor moving.

Because of Sacagawea’s influence on her brother, the Shoshone tribe gave Lewis and Clark the horses they needed to finish their expedition.

Isn’t that crazy?

What would America look like today had Sacagawea not been reunited? No one can say for sure, but I think it’s a safe bet to say that history would’ve been drastically different. The Lewis and Clark expedition would’ve been a failure. And America’s history would’ve been forever altered.

Ultimately the success of the expedition resulted in more interest in exploring the territory secured in the Luisiana purchase. It breathed life into the American fur trade.

To this day, we are reaping the benefits of their expedition.

And all this resulted from a crazy reunion that seems like it would only be possible in the movies.

I don’t know what you thought of the Lewis and Clark expedition before, but I believe this is yet another testament to God’s hand moving on our nation’s behalf. The Hand of Providence was indeed smiling on the expedition into the American West.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8