For the first time in decades, I missed VBS week at our church. My favorite part of this special week is asking the children, “Where did you see God today?” Their answers are in colorful pictures displayed across tables and pinned to bulletin boards at Open House, later to become part of a proud parent’s fridge gallery.
Jesus kneels down to smell the paste and sees the many places He showed up for them in their masterpiece. I love that.
If I asked you, if I asked me, what would we draw? Where do we see God in the everyday-ness?
My God-sightings are usually logged in journals, my “faith safe” where gems are stored. The miraculous moments when God showed up so quietly, so majestically. In time they become my God-starings. . . the times I stare long enough and recognize the holy.
People see what they pay attention to.
Most of the time we’re too busy to notice His work in our daily lives. Sometimes we need to trip over a burning bush to spot a God moment. It may only be in the times we realize we got from point A to point B safely. Then beware, ego and coincidence may become our sighting.
This week I attended the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. A busy schedule.
In the middle of the madness, I made a mental log of sightings . . . through past friendships of those who leave tracks upon our hearts year after year, within the classroom where instructors shared insight and knowledge to help another learn to do their best, and most evidently in the director’s tireless energy and compassion to encourage everyone to write His answer and publish the good news to a needy world.
Also, I made a mental note of my starings . . . they were hidden quietly by the duck pond. The divine meeting with the One whose image becomes vivid when we spend time with Him. The direction becomes clear after conversation with Deity.
A grace interruption came to me in the form of a text when I received the good “benign” report for a dear daughter. Another to add to my list.
Remember Elvis sightings? Billions said they saw him everywhere . . . the “king” who wasn’t coming back. We need to keep our eyes set on the King who definitely is coming back, and look for Him everywhere we can until He does.
Have you seen Him today? Keep a God file and write down where you witnessed goodness.
Verna
vondaskelton says
August 5, 2012 at 8:25 pmMy sightings recently have been more about His nudges to contact someone, pray for someone…and then discovering the power in obedience.
verna says
August 5, 2012 at 8:31 pmI love these kind of sightings . . . I’ve had a few holy nudges to pray for you, my friend.
Janeen Ippolito says
August 5, 2012 at 8:28 pmI’m glad the conference was such a blessing to you! I had to miss it this year, due to a hectic schedule and financial concerns – plus, and most importantly, a deep sense that it wasn’t meant to be this year. I tend to charge into “good things” gung-ho, assuming that their existence as good things means they’re good for me. God hasn’t always factored into that equation. It was humbling, and refreshing, to surrender to His will.
I witness Christ every day, just by stopping to wonder at things. See the beauty of a flower petal in nature. Enjoying a delicious meal in a summer evening. Or even in technology–all of these tools, that man could not have hoped to create without God creating his brain just so. Acknowledging these things is another form of heart-surrender to His goodness and sovereignty.
verna says
August 5, 2012 at 8:34 pmI thought somethings came up – we were saving you a seat during lunch in hopes to see you! “Just to stop to wonder at things” does allow us to see the divine . . . thank you, missed friend.
Jane Consiglio says
August 6, 2012 at 6:35 amMy husbands family came to visit yesterday! An answer to many years of prayer! God was present and so beautiful! Blessings to you, Verna.
verna says
August 6, 2012 at 10:00 am. . . this is a technicolor sighting, Jane! So great to hear of this!
Jeanette Edgar says
August 6, 2012 at 10:32 amI saw God at work when my boys had some type of argument outside. One marched up to his room and the other had a downcast look. We don’t intervene in everything anymore, giving them space to grow. Several minutes later, one emerged from his room with teary eyes, “I’m sorry.” The response, “It’s okay. Forget about it and move on.” – God is at work, especially when I take a spectator seat!
verna says
August 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm. . . what a precious place for Him to be . . between loving brothers who had a brief interruption! Thanks, Jeanette, great example!
Hannah S. Hunter says
August 6, 2012 at 11:43 amHe was everywhere. The cafeteria line- a woman overheard my conversation about Hospice for my 16 yr old and where God was. She turned and said she had been praying about training for Hospice. She heard my hope and made up her mind. He was in the bathroom as I wept as a class had evoked such pain over the death of my spouse. A woman came out of a stall and asked who lost their husband, She lost hers 4 yrs ago and mine 2. We embraced and became friends that held hands in Sue’s class when it hurts to write. Ryan made a friend and accountability buddy in an appt that stretched into 45 min.
vernabowman says
August 6, 2012 at 4:30 pmWow . . . He is definitely a Networker! Thanks for sharing this, Hannah . . . actually one of my sightings was watching you leave the lunch table to care for the woman who needed medical help . . . He was right there in you . . .
ROSE SWEENEY says
August 6, 2012 at 12:01 pmEveryday when I look into the faces of my granddaughters I see Gods work. And it looks a lot like Love
vernabowman says
August 6, 2012 at 4:32 pm. . . when I look at them I see the power and mercy of God in how He blessed those little girls we prayed for. . . . two beauties!
Glenda Mills says
August 6, 2012 at 6:57 pmI see him now, through the writing of this dear friend! Thank you Verna. What a blessing!
verna says
August 6, 2012 at 8:27 pmBlush . . . I am blessed by this sweet comment . . . thank you, Glenda.