God Wink
“Can I give you a hug?” These words turned an otherwise normal day into a God wink. I recommend one of my favorite books, When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell. When God works through people and experiences, some may call them coincidences, but I call them God winks.
As I was pulling out of the church parking lot, a woman arrived looking for a group that had decided to meet at the State Park instead. God put it on my heart to stick around and help. As we drew closer, she began to cry. That’s when I asked, “can I give you a hug?” She hugged me so tight. Her sobs lasted nearly five minutes, though it felt like a lifetime of tears that she had been bottling up. As she whimpered, she told me her story. It turns out, her family had warned her that her attendance at this meeting was their last attempt at intervention. The pending step was to walkout of her life. Tough love can sometimes feel harsh, but then again, there she was seeking the help she needed.
As her story continued, I interjected “we all fall short,” which she seemed to take comfort in. She was grateful that I had taken the time to listen. By the end of our conversation, we discovered that we had a lot in common so we exchanged information. In our follow-up conversation, she insisted that I as an angel. I replied “I’m no angel, but that it was a God wink.” For me, it was effortless and the Holy Spirt guided the entire interaction. I began to think about all those who I consider to be my angels. I wonder if they have any idea how they have impacted me?
We continue to remain friends to this day and often pray for one another. She will sporadically send me an uplifting text and I’ll usually reply with a bible verse or two. She resonates with Romans 8:13, “May the God of hope fill you with Joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This overflowing hope is keeping her sober and a part of her family’s life. I believe she realizes that they simply want what’s best for her. Our God wink has turned into a God-inspired relationship of love and support.
Oh, how grateful we are that God continues to wink. If we aren’t paying attention, we can sometimes miss the God winks that happen all around us everyday. As I wake up each morning, I say out loud “God, speak to me, I’m listening.” It shapes my interaction with nearly everyone I meet. Watchfulness, listening, and an open heart allows for God to thrive in our lives. Serving others, being present with them, brings me peace and purpose. What a joy it is to be a God wink!
With love beyond imagination,
Messiah Member
