No doubt our God is a Mighty God! It seems easier to believe that God is watching out over the big things in our lives, yet not as easy to see God being bothered with the little things. Perhaps that is because our thinking can be defined by our human limitations. However, we find in Matthew 10:29-31 (the Message):
29-31 “What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
With this reminder, we need to understand that if God is numbering the hairs on our head – he’s got the little things too.
Quite a few years ago, I began noticing that when I prayed for things, I felt God’s presence in His answer to me. It wasn’t an audible voice, but more of an action that occurred. Many people would call them coincidences, but I called them God Winks. I had read a book that talked about there being no real conincidences, only God’s divine intervention, and “winks” being His way of letting us know. That resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since.
If I pray for God’s protection when driving (or riding with my husband as he drives) [big smile], there are times when we inadvertently change our course, or need to make an unexpected detour. We may think it’s absent mindedness on our part, but I call them “Guardian Angel Maneuvers” – another form of God Wink.
These signs that God is with us, can be very reassuring, so please don’t miss them, or discount them for what they really are. If you don’t sense them occurring in your life, I’d like to ask you to be more open to when they might occur. Remember, a “wink” is quick, often subtle, so we need to be paying attention!
One of my favorite things to share with you are books that I am confident will make a positive impact on your life. (Well, that and music, of course!). So, if you haven’t read this book, you must! It was written many years ago, but is as relevant today as it was back then. Here’s an excerpt:
Those extraordinary little events in your life happen for a reason.
A coincidence-sometimes a silly little thing-changes the course of your day . . .
or even your life. Is it chance, or is God communicating with you?
One of the things I love most about this book is that the author shares powerful accounts of famous people you may know, and other every day folks, like you and me where God Winks have happened. You’ll be reminded how these varying messages that come from God are to keep us from worrying, help us to walk God’s path for our lives and to help us keep our faith strong.
As the author Squire Rushnell says,
When God winks, He is reaffirming that there is absolutely nothing about us that He does not know-our every hurt, our every desire. And that to me is very comforting.
I’m aware of a quote attributed to Albert Einstein that says, “Coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous”. I imagine a lot of people aspire to that belief. I, however, would much rather be utterly surrounded in the warmth of believing that God is always responding to my needs, my desires and my prayers, and personally doing so. Doing so in small and at times, mighty ways, so that I always know He is walking this life right along with me. I don’t personally believe, God is choosing to be anonymous.
Do you recognize God Winks in your life? If so, I’d love to hear some of them.
Sharing such revelations can help us all be more aware of when they are happening.
More About the Author
Squire Rushnell, a former television president and CEO, was an executive with the ABC Television Network for twenty years. He was a creator of such programs for young people as Schoolhouse Rock and the ABC Afterschool Specials, which together won seventy-five Emmys. He also led Good Morning America to the number-one spot and is the author of a book series started by the word-of-mouth phenomenon When God Winks.
For those of you who know my husband and I well, you know that we are Hallmark Movie Channel junkies. (Go ahead, you can make fun of it – we are proud!) I read that The Hallmark Channel is premiering a Godwinks Movie Series during this upcoming (2017) Christmas season. That’s enough to convert all of you – even the biggest skeptics! I think perhaps a Godwinks Movie Premier Party is in order, don’t you?!?