Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
{James 1:17}
Have you ever found yourself wishing, “If God would just SHOW ME A SIGN . . .” you would know what to do or whether or not you’re headed in the right direction?
Haven’t we all?
Just once, wouldn’t it be nice to look up and see writing in the sky?
Though answers rarely come as a flashing neon sign — call me crazy — sometimes I sense God’s favor in what others may dismiss as coincidence.
Maybe nothing as dramatic as a thunder clap or lightning strike or a rainbow sent right to your front yard, but a kind of mini-miracle that speaks right to the heart of whatever is going on in your life . . . right . . . now.
It helps to hold tight to what we’re promised in scripture: God has gifted us with not some, but every, spiritual blessing. In the passage from Ephesians 1, we learn that in Christ, we are
chosen,
holy,
blameless,
family,
receivers of grace,
redeemed,
forgiven,
and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
God’s generosity knows no bound.
He is a giver of good and perfect gifts, and what (or Who!) He gave because He loved us should compel us to boundless gratitude.
Lord, may I never cease to be thankful, humbled by, and astonished at the wonder, beauty, and cost of the cross.
Last week I was sitting at my kitchen table with two friends. I had invited them over to begin putting flesh on the bones of an idea birthed in my heart awhile back.
They weren’t the first people I had approached about joining me in this new thing; but after arm-twisting another friend without success for over two years, it finally occurred to me that maybe she wasn’t the one to help.
Sometimes earnestly seeking the Lord means letting go of preconceived plans and ideals.
This is a lesson on repeat for me, something I’ve been slow to learn.
Around my table that day we began to sense God’s presence in our gathering, oddly enough, in a color scheme. It started with Hannah and Tracey noticing my journal, pen, and espresso cup perfectly coordinating (How much do I love that my friends picked up on such a tiny detail? It’s exactly the kind of thing I’m prone to notice.). Hannah “had” to take a picture.
Deeply engaged in our conversation, all three of us jumped when Hannah noticed the shadow of a man at my front door, followed quickly by a sharp knock. I knew what they didn’t — it was simply a package delivery. Our front door is within arm’s reach of our kitchen table, and they aren’t accustomed to that proximity for mail deliveries.
I opened the door to pick up my package, and immediately realized what it was: an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real Life Engagement. Since you’re obviously an (in)courage reader (wink), you might have seen recent images and teasers about Craving Connection. What makes this book extra special is that it is a first from (in)courage and features 30 authors from both the (in)courage team and community at large. Through Scripture, personal testimony, and prayer, the 30-day devotional explores the question, “How could your life be different after prayerfully and intentionally connecting with God, friends, and your community?” (We can’t wait to share more soon–promise!)
I quickly explained what it was to my friends, who remembered me working on my chapter “A Safe Harbor” at the first of the year. As quickly as I placed the book on the table to continue our conversation, we noticed–
Everything was color coordinated . . .
We couldn’t miss it, and we didn’t want to dismiss it as coincidence. It felt like a God-wink, a conduit of God’s pleasure with our plans.
I asked the girls if they’d like me to read my chapter before they left; honestly, it had been so long since I wrote it, other than a general idea, I had forgotten what I submitted. Bless their hearts –– how could they say anything but “Yes“?
It was a surprise to me when reading it to them brought tears to my eyes, not once or twice, but three times. And the general complexion of my world 15 years ago is what one of them is living now; my own story years in the past was relevant to hers now, and it encouraged her to feel like someone understood from the inside out. She could see beyond her current circumstance, because she knows this part of my story: I’m not anchored to my history but it has softened my edges, and helps to demonstrate the value of those hard seasons.
Talk about a paycheck . . .
We cried together and prayed together, and it was an absolute gift to have them with me to celebrate my small contribution to this work.
God continued to “wink” even after they were gone. When I checked my mail, my neighbor had slipped in a picture she had of me, and the notepaper she used perfectly matched the color scheme du jour —
Maybe a peculiar correlation, but the series of color-coordinated vignettes reminded me of the movie classic, Chariots of Fire, when Eric Liddell said, “I believe that God made me for a purpose . . . When I run, I feel His pleasure.”
Those matchy-matchy colors seemed to be an indication of God’s pleasure in my “running” (obedience), as I’m stepping into one of His Kingdom invitations. God-winks are good gifts, always perfect in their timing. If God was Southern, it would be like Him giving a surcie.
Can you recall a time when you received a God-wink, a tangible sense of God’s favor, blessing or pleasure in response to your obedience? Please tell us about it!
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Robin,
First, I am really curious about the Craving Connection book…you know I love y’all’s writing and would love to add this to my library!! Second, call me silly, but I see God winking at me all the time. I really don’t think anything is coincidence. One day I was sitting at my kitchen table writing my blog and it was bringing up some feelings of missing the simplicity of my growing up years in Pittsburgh and of course that makes me miss my dad who passed away 5 years ago. I have a bird feeder right outside my kitchen window and just then a beautiful bright yellow finch lighted on the feeder then along came a black capped chickadee. Well, if these two weren’t the perfect picture of Pittsburgh black and gold, I don’t know what was?? It brought a warm smile to my face as I felt the tears run down my cheeks. God-winks…they’re everywhere…we just need to keep our eyes focused on looking for them. Loved this!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Robin Dance says
Ooooo, I LOVE your example, Bev! I can almost see it, too. Beautiful reminder in this instance just how much you’re loved and KNOWN.
I was hoping the link would be live to share the Craving Connection website! It’s *that* close, my friend, and I can tell you from experience, you’re going to LOVE it xoxoxox.
Sarah Pinault says
But there’s no link to that book yet, such a tease 😉 Robin you write so beautifully and invitingly.
Robin Dance says
Sarah,
Ha! You got us! We’re close close close, I promise! It will be worth the wait, and DO stay tuned for more news :).
You’re such an encouragement to me. Thank you.
Jean Bliss says
I often receive “God-Winks” (a phenomenon named by SQuire Rushnell, who has authored a number of books regarding the topic), and try to pay attention to them. I keep a running list of these “God-Winks” lest I forget God’s attention to even the small details of our lives. My two favorites occurred fairly recently. I got an idea for a project for which I needed a small piece of screening, and another project that required a small piece of plastic strapping. Lo and behold, a piece of screening larger than I needed appeared by mailbox, and the same thing with the piece of plastic sometime later. Now mind you, the mailbox is down a long, steep driveway next to a heavily traveled country road, and I only retrieve the mail once or twice a week. So pay attention, and I think we will see that God often provides even the most random things for his beloved children !
Robin Dance says
Jean,
Great minds? 🙂
The example you shared makes me happy. SO personal, and undeniable timing. So glad you took time to share, and to let us know about a resource regarding this very thing.
Dawn says
I would also love to have a copy of this book “Craving Connection”!! Thanks so much for all your encouragement and kind, supportive, uplifting words and stories. God bless you in all ways!
Dawn
Robin Dance says
The book will be available SOON, Dawn :). I love the interest in it already :).
Julie says
Thank you for your lovely visual display of God’s ability to get our attention through details. He knows our hearts and I personally think he takes pleasure providing us with these vignettes of pure unadulterated love only He can provide. We seek it continuously, craving it out of a desperation to feel connected to something that would make sense of this life. Some people feel it through music, others through nature and the list goes on. I am very thankful for these God winks. They keep me going on unsteady days when on my own I would loose focus.
I need to keep a better list because sometimes I forget how much He loves me…
Robin Dance says
That’s not a bad idea, Julie…keeping a list we can access for those days we NEED reminding. I know there are too many times I forget how well God knows and loves me. Great idea!
katie says
Oh, I love those moments! I know they happen regularly but I forget too quickly and get caught up again in the busyness of life. I should start keeping a list!
Robin Dance says
Ha! I just commented we need to keep a list in reply to the Julie’s suggestion. Something we all could receive blessing in :).
Diane Bailey says
Robin, I love when God “winks” I love even more when I can recognize it. Thank you for sharing this story and encouraging us to look for places where He is encouraging Us.
Robin Dance says
I know you, Diane, and I’ve heard about some of those ways God expresses His love for YOU in the common and everyday. It’s so good to have friends who are looking AND finding God in ordinary ways xo.
Diane Bailey says
<3, love you friend.
Irene says
Dear Robin,
A reminder to be aware of God-winks Thank you! Full on life and busyness can blind my eyes from seeing sometimes.
The book, Craving Connection, where, how, when is it available? So interested!!! God bless you.
Irene
Robin Dance says
Well, rumor has it, more information is coming SOON. Keep your eyes peeled because you’ll be able to learn more about it in the days to come…. 😉
Michele Morin says
So often we glance over our shoulders, sensing real or imagined condemnation from God.
I love the way your words invite me to look far and wide for evidence to prove what God says Himself about His crazy love for us: He sings over us with joy! I’m hearing the melody as I read your post today!
Robin Dance says
Oh, that delights me, Michele–THANK you :).
And, yes…way too often we imagine the opposite of what God extends to us: grace and love.
Lisa-Jo Baker says
Well isn’t this just the most fun! LOVE your heart so much Robin and those photos are a delight. Such a joy to get to live life and God winks alongside you, friend.
Robin Dance says
🙂
Sometimes I’m convinced we find exactly what we’re looking for.
Hmmmmm….
Lyn says
He is everywhere, in everything, and small miracles happening everyday. If we stay true, remain calm, and learn to listen, our cravings only increase. Writing a book on how wicked events can be totally worthy when God is in charge! Love you all -Godspeed! Lyn❤
Ro Elliott says
My eyes started to open to God’s winks or kisses on my cheek when I read Ann’s book and started counting all the ways He loves me… it opened up my eyes to see how I walked so blindly … how I unknowingly trampled on the seeming ordinary things that actually were truly extraordinary winks from God. I love the hymn… this is my Fathers’ world… and He speaks to me everywhere! I love your story… how your heart and eyes are open to see and receive these gifts from Abba ❤️
Robin Dance says
Sometimes I call them God-kisses, too, Ro :). I decided for the sake of simplicity, I’d only refer to it one way. God kisses and winks and hugs, oh my! <3
Mary says
You have made me more aware of these times with this post. I’ll be on the lookout for the God winks and pray I’ll recognize them when I see them! Great post friend!!
Robin Dance says
Something tells me that you’ll see them all around you now. That makes me smile :). THANK YOU for sharing my post with a FB share, too. So grateful when people share those words prayed and poured over… xoxo
Rebecca L Jones says
My God winks are butterflies, usually pairs, that will play around me and follow me to the mailbox or just be outside the window. The first time they came was when I was in tears sitting on the porch many years ago. They were angels then and they are angels now.
Robin Dance says
I have a friend who sees God in butterflies, too :). They’re a link to her best friend who was taken by cancer when she was far too young…. I think of my friend, and her friend when I see those butterflies. They’re grace-filled creatures :).
Laura says
What a beautiful post! I wish I were going to tell of my own personal “God winks” that have happened in my life. Oh how i need one (or twenty) right now. Especially now. I’m in the midst of a very difficult time of my life with some serious decisions that need to be made. I’ve been praying and crying out to God to please “just show me somehow that I am doing the right thing” or “show me a different path”. Yet I’m feeling like He is so far away and either I’m completely missing his “wink” or there aren’t any. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!! How can I be so far off the mark? Any suggestions for seeing those “God winks”? Could there really be none or am I just not able to see/hear/feel them? Where am i going wrong? I so desperately need hear something from Him.
Robin Dance says
Oh, Laura…I feel the weight of your waiting. It can be frustrating or confusing or even hurtful when you can’t sense God in your circumstances. I’m not qualified in a professional sense to offer suggestions, but I can offer you what I’d offer a friend sitting in my kitchen right now. Seek God first, not the answer to your question(s); I do NOT mean to oversimplify your obviously serious choices, but I’ve found that it’s an easy thing to say those words, but saying them isn’t the same thing as DOING them. The will of God is for us to love, obey, forgive, follow (Him), and share Christ. When I’m faced with decisions, and especially when I’m clueless how to proceed, I’ve begun asking myself, “What does following God look like in this situation?” “How can I love in this circumstance” “Is there offense I need to forgive?” etc.
I’m praying for you, Laura. Specifically that God would graciously send you a Godwink in the days to come, and that you would recognize it, celebrate it, and be amazed by God. Please keep me posted.
Laura says
Robin, thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment today. Your words touched my heart and I want you to know I needed to hear every word!
Thank you for the prayers. Always needed. 🙂
I’m thinking maybe this was my Godwink!!??
I will keep you posted for sure.
Thank you, Robin.
Beth Williams says
Laura,
Praying for you now sweet sister. May God shower you with His love. I pray you sense His peace in your soul! May He give you a discerning heart to know His will for you life right now!
Blessings 🙂
Annetta says
Robina, your God Wink moment put a big smile from my heart to my face! It also reminded me of mine…way back in Aug, I was have this big doubt moment about my project. Book was in press…and I got scared of the reality of the next steps. Owerwhelmed at the same time with doing up a website by myself although I’m not techno saavy…I whinged to God as I walked home from dropping off my daughter at school. I got distracted by the pretty flowers along the way and took a picture. Didn’t think twice about it and kept on whinging. When I got home, I took the picture out to look at and my God wink moment….the flower was in the shape of a little bunny. My project’s name is tooth bunny!! Totally in awe. I knew what I had to do….
Annetta says
Sorry Robin. I meant Robin. Not sure how an extra a got there.
Annetta
Robin Dance says
Well, THAT is precious…a bunny-shaped flower. If that isn’t a Godwink, I don’t know what is!!
(typos schmypos!! 🙂 )
Lanette Haskins says
As soon as I began reading I knew this was an answer to a prayer I prayed this very morning. A God-wink just for me.
Thank you Robin, I can’t wait to get my own copy of Craving Connection and see how God continues to speak to me…
❤
Bonnie Jean says
When is this book coming out ? I need to read this !!! I love the quote you wrote about Eric Liddell… there are a few things in my life … three to be exact that I can say I feel God winking at me when I do them… or as Eric would say…
When I dance…I can feel His pleasure… When I create… (write, make cards, scrapbooks, bake, sew, paint, create with wood or clay or whatever… ) I feel His pleasure… and When I call or write or invite a friend over that I know needs encouragement… and I can feel their joy …. then I can also feel His pleasure. When I do that which I was created to do… I always feel His presence and His energy flowing through me. I needed to hear this today… as I am embarking on a rather large creative endeavor…. and I needed to read and hear and drink this in. And I need to read this book.
Beth Williams says
Robin,
Love your writing and have missed you for a while now. I recently had a “God Wink”. My aging dad is getting “back to his normal”. He would tell me “you don’t have to come visit me all the time”. Ok. I decided to look for a job. On Friday 10/7 a friend called and told me of a good part-time job in town working for a family business. I immediately got my paperwork ready. Sunday night I told my pastor’s wife that I was apply to work there & she just happens to know the owners, personally and professionally. She called them Monday morning and told them I was coming in. I got there and mentioned her name. I was asked to fill out an application and given an interview right on the spot. The next day the owner called to ask a few questions. God’s timing is “perfect”. That Thursday they called and offered me the job over the phone. I start Monday 10/24. That had to be God’s doing. The job is only three blocks from where my dad is in the assisted living. I can check on him after work.
Blessings 🙂
Tammi Dudas says
I was blessed by a God confirmation in 1994 to move from Jacksonville, FL to Hendersonville, NC with a neon light rainbow billboard so I was really chuckling during your opening paragraphs. God did grace me with a very clear sign when I asked to see a rainbow on a terribly black, pouring down rainy afternoon. As I rounded the curve on I95 – lo and behold there was a billboard sign with a lit-up neon rainbow telling me to move. And it was the thing we did for our marriage and our family. So yes – signs of confirmation can be flashing neon lights or rainbows in the windshield. HUGS and Blessings!
Hannah says
Such a beautiful testament to God’s wink at us that day! I needed to read this today as I sit missing his “wink” at me. I know that he sees me, hears me, and knows the deep desires of my heart, because he made me. Thank you for the reminder, encouragement, and the beautiful memory of the day we sat at your table and you read me (and Tracey) the story of your past 15 years. I truly felt as if you had eyes to see into my soul and you were reading my heart in this current season. How sweet of God to wink at me and even hug me to let me know that he has some purpose in this season and some reason for where he is leading. Thank you for helping me to get my eyes off of my circumstance and back onto the size of my God! Cannot wait to get a copy of that book! Love you!!!
Robin Dance says
Friend, it was pure joy that you (and Tracey) were by my side literally, emotionally, spiritually. You have sharpened me in ways known and unknown, and I’m eager to see where the Lord takes us. I believe that “such a time is this…” and I’m ready to know the THIS of us!! xoxo LOVE you!
Susan G says
I love God-winks! I thought my friend Paula and I invented the word! Ha!
We would see our Pastor preach on the same verses Sunday as we had studied earlier in the week, with our women’s bible study group time and time again. (We co-facilitated it together.)
I personally have one story that had multiple God-winks in it! I planned a trip out of state with my daughter and 2 grand kids, and oh my, did God have fun?
To this day I know God ‘messed’ with my computer while reserving a rental car. I got a rate so low on the rental car that even the lady behind the counter asked “How did you get these rates? I’ve never seen them this low.” I just smiled! 😉 And during this same trip, I saw something that has shocked me to this day! My favorite word is “Believe” and I have it on several plaques, several kinds of stationery, etc. all over my house. While on the freeway driving my ‘lowest rate’ rental car, a bright red sports car comes out of nowhere and pulls in front of us. I looked at the license and it had one word on it “Believe”! I thought I was seeing things but my daughter and grandchildren saw it too. I took a quick photo of it as it exited the freeway, and it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. These are only a few of the God-winks in this story… I probably need to write a book. 😉
I think God loves to bless us with God-winks and I never get tired of them!!
Thanks for this today Robin! I loved it!