Category: Watching for God

God is all around us. All we have to do is look for Him. If we seek Him, we will find Him at times in the most unlikely places.

Appreciating the Blessings

Posted on by Wendy
Taking time to appreciate our blessings, is a way of giving thanks to the One who gave them to us.

One day late last week, the meteorologists in our area began to forecast rain and when I say rain, I mean they were talking five to seven inches of rain over the next week. Everyone at work grumbled at the news. Lots of people on Facebook grumbled. Georgia has had a very wet winter and it appeared the trend would continue.

Saturday morning started out cloudy, as expected, but as the day progressed, the sun came out and by 1:00 it was beautiful and sunny. I received a text from a friend telling me she was outside soaking up the sun and hoped I was doing the same.

I wasn’t doing the same. I had been running around doing errands and when I arrived home, I planned on taking a walk and then checking off my long to do list.

But, I was so tired. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep the week before and my deck looked really inviting. I decided to have lunch outside and then get busy. It was 70 degrees out there and I lingered after lunch. My hubby decided that it was a perfect day to cook on his smoker, so he did.

Then he brought some cushions out to put on our outdoor furniture. I decided to sit with him for a few minutes while he ate his lunch, then I would get busy.

One of my dogs jumped up and sat down beside me and she and I enjoyed the sun, for just a few more minutes.

But, then my son came out with his lunch, so I decided to sit with him while he ate, then I would get busy.

We chatted and laughed as the minutes kept ticking by and I don’t know when I have been so relaxed.

When my son decided to go back inside and my dog and I remained, an idea bubbled in my heart. When we know rain is coming and we are given the blessing of beautiful sunshine in advance, isn’t it wrong not to appreciate it?

I had been praying about being so tired and here was an opportunity to rest, was I really not going to take it? How many blessings do we miss while we are busy doing what we consider more important at the moment?

Let’s face it, our to do lists are never done. When we actually make it to the bottom, don’t we always start a new one? And will those lists have any significance at all in five years?

A sunny, warm day in February, with family and furry babies to share it with, is a gift. We should really take the time to enjoy what we have given and be thankful. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Finding the Light

Posted on by Wendy
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you, God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

A few weeks ago, I was getting dressed for church and I was listening to some praise and worship music. I usually prefer quiet when I’m getting ready for church, but this particular morning, I found a Pandora station and cranked it up.

When I was almost ready to turn it off, the song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by Mercy Me came on. I’ve always loved that song, because I find it to be so true. We have no idea how we will react when we get home to the other side.

Of course, my inner teenager came out and I sang to the top of my lungs like I thought I was Cary Carrie Underwood. You apparently never get too old for that. Praising God out loud, in private, lifted my spirits in an amazing way. I really struggle this time of year. It’s so cold and so dark and it’s been raining forever and it was once again, supposed to be another rainy Sunday.

But, as I sang and danced around, (try not to judge, King David danced for God) :), I no longer cared about the weather. I was just thankful to be alive and going to church.

When the song was coming to an end, there’s a line that says, “Will I stand in your glory or to my knees will I fall?” I hit my knees and when I did, I could see the sun peeking through the clouds, through my closed blinds and my heart overflowed.

I would never have seen it through those closed blinds if I hadn’t been on my knees. I stayed there awhile and prayed and felt a brand new peace.

I don’t often kneel to pray, but sometimes, when I’m particularly troubled, sad, or frustrated, I do. I don’t believe it’s by any means a requirement for our prayers to be heard or answered, but there’s something about being in that humble position that always makes me feel very close to God.

That morning, it just felt natural and I followed that nudge and was rewarded with a sliver of the sun and a promise that bright things were on the horizon and that He is still in control and still listening.

I attended church and went about my day, but I thought about that sliver of sun all day long. I was reminded that we can learn a lot when we are on our knees and what a beautiful thing hope is. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Here’s the song, in case you want to hear it!

A Call to Nature

Posted on by Wendy
When we get outside our own four walls, it’s hard to miss God.

Last week, a large part of our nation was slammed by the Polar Vortex which was essentially, some brutally cold weather. The news was full of stories of temperatures in the negative twenties and there were actually people who lost their lives. Here in the Deep South, it dipped into the twenties and for us, that’s really cold. We huddled inside under blankets, and wore big coats when we had to go out and grumbled a lot, but by Saturday, it was sunny in the high sixties.

My hubby and I had plenty to do on Saturday, but we both agreed we had to get outside and walk and soak up some sun. There was a time in my life when I wouldn’t have taken the time to do that. Taking a walk would have seemed like a frivolous waste of time when I had so much to do. But, time and age, have slowly changed my heart and mind on what is most important in life.

We went to our local botanical gardens and joined a slew of people who agreed with us. We had a hard time finding a parking spot.

It felt good to be outside. Our winter hasn’t really been that cold, but we have had so much rain since the fall, that we almost broke a record. Time in nature has become a bit of a scarcity. We met smiling face after smiling face, on that trail and I marveled at the age diversity of our fellow walkers.

There was a mama carrying a baby and walking with a preschooler. There were couples young and old. There were families. There were solitary walkers. There were some elderly people who I wouldn’t have thought would have braved the trail. Yet, they too, greeted us with a smile. There were runners. There were people who looked to be in perfect shape and those who looked like they were trying to get into perfect shape. Some sat down on benches by the river to rest or reflect.

I think I probably saw every stage of life, represented on that walk and no matter the stage, they all were seeking the same thing: to be outside, in nature and enjoy Creation. We worship a creative Heavenly Father, who has given us so much beauty, that we too often take for granted. We tend to gravitate towards the physical lists and tasks and neglect the spiritual ones that feed our souls and we suffer for it don’t we?

My nature walk reminded me that no matter our stage in life, we are called to participate, to get off the couch and get moving in whatever capacity we can and to be thankful for what we have been given, because when we give thanks, our eyes are opened to the many blessings we all have and miss.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Advent Kindness

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes the simplest kindness can inspire others to do the same.

Yesterday was a really busy day at the school where I work. It was our annual Thanksgiving Feast celebration and we had close to a thousand people signed up to come and eat. There were people checking in and out all day long with very little down time.

On top of that, it had been a long week. It had rained all week long, pouring rain, and we had flash flood watches and river flooding watches. I hadn’t seen the sun in days. By Thursday, I really just longed to be home on my couch, underneath a blanket.

On that previous Sunday, when we returned from church, there had been a gift leaning up against my garage door. It was an Advent Calendar with a big Santa Clause on it. I knew immediately who it was from, but I wondered how it got there.

An elderly widow lived across the street from us from the time we bought our house until last summer, when she announced to us she was moving into a retirement community. She had shared with that me she was lonely and she was ready to move. She told me with a twinkle in her eye that she had heard that place was just like living in a sorority house. I was so sad to see her go, but really happy for her.

She bought my kids Advent Calendars our very first Christmas in our new home and continued every year well into their teenage years. I hadn’t thought much about this year until I saw it and the card she included brought tears to my eyes. She said she thought my son might enjoy one last Advent Calendar before he went off to college.

Her thoughtfulness and kindness really touched my heart and I gave thanks for her influence on my childrens’ lives. She certainly didn’t have to be so kind to them, but she always was. She was an inspiration to me and I prayed that God would show me opportunities to show kindness to others when I didn’t have to.

Yesterday, at the end of the day, I walked down to a classroom to get some kiddos to check out. The office was packed and there were some classes in transition and I was grateful for the escape. I walked purposefully to my destination holding a radio in my hand and after I found the teacher, I headed back.

But, as I headed towards the office, a kindergartener stopped me. She was at the water fountain trying to fill her water bottle. She asked me if I could loosen the top for her. That Advent Calendar blazed across my mind as a teacher came down the hall and offered to help her. I smiled, put the walkie underneath my arm and told her that was okay, I loosened the top and handed it back to her. The little girl beamed and thanked me as she walked back to the fountain.

God has often spoken to me through children. I think they are sometimes beacons for Jesus. It didn’t occur to the little girl that I was tired, or in a hurry, or that I had something in my hand. She was thirsty and she needed assistance, so she asked and I was given the opportunity that I had prayed for.

I was humbled and thankful. A little girl and an Advent Calendar reminded me that as we travel through Thanksgiving and head towards Advent that our aching world is filled with opportunities to be kind, and that if we prayerfully keep watch, God will show us the way. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Early Thanksgiving Blessings

Posted on by Wendy
May our early Thanksgiving remind us to stop and give thanks.

Thanksgiving is early this year. The latest it can be is November 28th and the earliest is November 22nd. I don’t know what makes it fluctuate, but since I am someone who looks for God’s fingerprints in the world around me, I suspect this year’s early arrival was Divine intervention.

This year’s little midterm elections which are usually a blip on the screen, were particularly ugly and contentious with an extra helping of accusations of cheating from both sides of the aisle. There are several states who have people in key races who have refused to concede, including my own, and once again, the state of Florida has some major voting issues, leaving the country in limbo.

We are clearly divided as a nation, yet there are some things that tend to bring us together. Thanksgiving is one of them.

It’s a uniquely American holiday that calls on us to stop what we are doing; this means working for most of us, but maybe specifically this year, fighting with each other, come together, and give thanks for all we have and let’s face it, we have a lot.

The vast majority of us have electricity, roofs over our heads, clean water and plenty to eat. Even our poorest, have more than those in other parts of the world. Sure, we can absolutely do better and we should definitely strive to do so, but we have no doubt, been blessed.

We have the goal of educating every child in this country, regardless of their sex, race or religion. The American dream is still a shining beacon to those who seek to work for it.

We are free to worship in the way that we see fit here, something that we tend to take for granted. It’s easy to forget that Christians in some parts of the world are killed or tortured everyday for acknowledging their belief in Jesus.

Division has often been a part of American life. From our nation’s birth, with the Loyalists and the Patriots, to the North verses the South, to the Civil Rights Movement that rocked us, but eventually made us stronger, we have always disagreed with each other.

But, in the end, we have always come back together. May this early Thanksgiving remind us how much we actually have in common and Who we have to thank for it, because in the end, acknowledging the Who, can unite us all.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

A Time for Everything

Posted on by Wendy
There’s a season for everything and they can all be beautiful.

Yesterday morning, my daily devotional was about the sunrise. It posed the question, that if you had spent your entire life in darkness and finally saw a sunrise, wouldn’t you believe it was a miracle? It went on to point out that, we experience brushes with the miraculous everyday, but we shrug them off because they have become everyday and mundane to us.

I was determined to take those words to heart as I headed off to work. Unfortunately, it was raining, but I kept my eyes peeled. The skies were gray for most of the day and at one point it was pouring, but in the afternoon, it began to clear and the sun came out.

When I walked out of work, it was a gorgeous warm afternoon. I knew I had to take a walk when I got home, even though my to-do list was a mile long.

When I got outside, my heart felt light for the first time in days and I marveled at the fall leaves. It seemed that they had turned colors overnight. How had I missed that little miracle?

As I continued to walk, I really took in all of the different colors and thought about how creative God is. Spring has always been my favorite season. I love to see life and beauty burst forth from what had previously been dormant. But, the leaves around me were just as stunning as the spring flowers are.

As I continued to walk and appreciate the miraculous, and give thanks for it, I felt a truth bubbling up in my heart.

Letting go can be beautiful. Just look at the leaves.

We tend to hold onto so many things we don’t need. My pastor recently said that Americans use two billion square feet for storage in forty thousand storage facilities and that doesn’t even count attics and basements. We used to have megabytes. Then there were gigabytes. Now we have terabytes.

We hold onto a lot of stuff both physically and virtually. We also tend to hold onto a lot of emotional baggage too. But, maybe we should all learn a lesson from the leaves and let some things go. We may find that something beautiful happens.

A seasonal miracle reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Grandparent Grace

Posted on by Wendy
Perhaps some of the purest love we will ever witness is between a grandparent and a grandchild.

A few days ago, a young couple walked into the school office where I work, carrying a precious little baby. They had just arrived in town and wanted to surprise the baby’s grandmother. Well, we all got in on it. We helped them get checked in and kept watch for her. We had them step over to the side out of sight, until we asked her to come into the office.

I don’t know when I have seen such pure joy as the joy I saw on her face. She squealed with excitement as she took her grand baby in her arms and alternated between holding her close and then pulling her away so she could look at her.

There were tears in her eyes and in mine too. She then took her granddaughter to show her other babies, who happen to be second graders who she loves like they are hers.

I replayed that scene in my head over the next couple of days. I have always thought that God gives mamas a taste of His love for us through our children, but when I witness the love a grandmama has for her grandchildren, it really takes it up a notch.

It’s hard to wrap my brain around the concept that God loves us even more than we love our children and grandchildren. It’s truly more than I can fathom, yet I know it’s true and I was so grateful I got to witness that love firsthand the other day. My heart felt truly blessed.

Then yesterday, another coworker came into the office with her phone. She said she had something to show us that she had been desperate to share. On her phone, was an ultrasound picture of a tiny fetus. Her daughter was expecting and she was over the moon.

Here again, was a grandmother who was completely in love with a child who was yet to be born, a child who hasn’t even take her first breath, but is already treasured. I was once again reminded of God’s love for us.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

There’s so much negativity in our world right now, so much anger and so much hate. We can sometimes wonder where God is. Rest assured, He’s still here. If you need proof, find a grandparent and ask them about their grandchild.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you did too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Warriors Among Us

Posted on by Wendy
I’m thankful for the warriors among us.

Wednesday night, we held our breath as Hurricane Michael headed our way. It had already decimated everything in its path in Florida and Georgia was next. We had seen alerts most of the day and were under a tornado watch until the wee hours of the morning.

I had felt uneasy all day long. The air outside just felt heavy somehow. My daughter was in South Georgia and my parents were in Middle Georgia and both areas were in the hurricane’s crosshairs and out of my reach.

I shouldn’t have been surprised when I got a message on Facebook from a family friend checking in with us and letting me know he was praying for us. He’s a warrior who became family on a mission trip a few years back and he always has a way of letting me know he’s praying for us especially when things feel particularly out of my control.

I immediately felt better.

A little while later, another friend who I met on that same trip, also a warrior who has become family, messaged me to let me know that he too, was praying for our family.

There was definitely some comfort, knowing we were being prayed for, when we didn’t even ask. There are certain situations when it becomes abundantly clear that prayer is the only answer. I was so grateful they had reached out to me. I had no doubt that they were following nudges from God.

It made me wonder if I should do a better job at letting people know that I’m praying for them. I think we can sometimes forget how powerful that spiritual connection can be. There are times when I feel called to pray for someone, but I rarely tell them.

Maybe they need to hear it. It certainly gave me some peace.

Thankfully we suffered no damage overnight, but the next morning, I still hadn’t heard from my daughter. I received a text from another warrior from that same mission trip to tell me she was praying for us and asking how we were. I thanked her and told her we were fine, but I hadn’t heard from my daughter. She reached out to her as well and I’ve no doubt, continued to pray.

It was a few hours later when she finally checked in. The weather had kept her awake, so she had slept in, but all was well.

I marveled all day at the power of prayer and the peace we can get from it. I stand amazed at the people who God puts in our paths for such a time as this. He always has a plan.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Blessed Reassurance

Posted on by Wendy
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

I had the day off on Monday and I was determined to get outside and go for a walk. My regular cardio routine has become irregular at best, due to some painting projects, an injured tendon and quite frankly, the oppressive heat that has refused to let up.

As I sat at my kitchen table drinking my coffee, (Who in their right mind would take a morning walk before coffee?), I noticed how dark it was outside. I knew I should go as early as possible, because of the heat, but I just didn’t want to go out under an overcast sky.

Something nudged me to wait.

When the sun finally peeked through the clouds, and I went to get my running shoes, it was 9:00. I strapped my cell phone that I’ve been lugging around to record every step I take, securely around my arm. I knew I had probably waited too late, but I was determined to go anyway.

I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped outside. It was cooler than it had been the past few days and there was a breeze. I was thankful I had waited for the light and I was reminded that it’s always going to be warmer when we seek to walk in the light.

As I walked along, I found myself praying for some wonder, for God to show His presence. The past week had been a long one filled with bad news, not for me personally, but for some friends and extended family. I felt like my prayers had become a long list of cries for intervention and comfort. My heart felt heavy.

But, as I walked and felt the cool breeze on my face, I felt thankful, thankful to be alive and to be outside and away from a desk and as I was giving thanks, a hawk flew across my path and landed on a tree branch right in front of me. I stopped and wondered if it would remain there while I took a picture. I doubted it.

I never exercise with a phone. I find them cumbersome, but I had mine because of the step counting, work contest. I carefully took it off my arm, expecting it to fly away any minute. It didn’t. I tried to zoom and then I moved closer and walked to the other side of the tree to get a better shot. The hawk never moved. He kept his eyes on me, but stayed put until I finished and walked away.

I marveled at God’s faithfulness and His timing. If I would have gone earlier, I would have missed the encounter. If I wasn’t counting my steps, not only would I not have been able to get a picture, but I wouldn’t have been been amazed at the hawk’s patience with my photo attempts.

My heart was much lighter as I continued to give thanks. My circumstances hadn’t changed, but I had been reassured of His presence, His timing, His plan and most importantly, His love.

Perhaps you needed some reassurance today too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

A Call to Share the Light

Posted on by Wendy
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

On Monday, I wrote a post, called “The Rear View Mirror Illusion,” about struggling with thoughts about my best years being behind me instead of in front of me. I wrote about how we can get pulled into looking into the rear view mirror and long for those days gone by, because time has a way of whitewashing the past.

I had that post on my mind for two full days before I actually typed it out. I usually keep a notebook close by to jot down ideas that may present themselves at any given moment.

I feel like God reveals Himself to me all of the time and more often than not, I probably miss it and so I try to keep a look out and take notes.

But, that morning, that prayer, that sunrise, and that rainbow, just wouldn’t leave me alone. God often speaks to me in a whisper, but I felt like that day, He was using a megaphone and the need to write it down and share it, just wouldn’t go away.

So, Sunday morning, even though I was out of town, even though I was working on something else, even though I was visiting with my Mama, I powered up my laptop and told my story.

I don’t know why I was surprised that I got more likes, comments and shares on that post than I’ve had in a long time. It was something a lot of people clearly needed to read. It resonated with them. It offered some encouragement to some struggling hearts and reminded them that God is still listening, still working, and still in control.

The response to the post, reminds me of how important it is to share with others, both our trials and triumphs on this faith journey.

It’s so easy to just plaster on a smile and say that everything is fine, but this side of Eternity, will always be littered with obstacles and pitfalls. There are valley moments along with the mountaintop moments. It takes both to grow our faith.

And there are times when we will feel a quiet, insistent, nudge to reach out to someone with encouragement. Sometimes we have no idea why. Sometimes we are busy doing something else. That post reminded me to make the call; send the text; extend the invitation, because God is still in the business of using His people to share His light with a world that at times, can be very dark.

And don’t we want to be a part of that?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂