Signs And Wonders
Signs and wonders are often referred to as the kind of experiences that are miraculous in nature. Like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and turning water into wine.
But what if today they were “omens” that showed up in our lives thru the power of the spirit of God? Would you recognize them as such or pass them off as coincidences or accidents? I would like to invite you to think a bit differently about signs and wonders for a moment and be open to the idea that just maybe they happen in your life all the time.
Einstein once said “there are only two ways to live your life. As thou nothing is a miracle, or as thou everything is a miracle.”
Sundays have always been a sacred day for me that I looked forward to every week. I like to refer to them as my “wonder” days…24 hours to simply be in a space of curiosity, beauty, often times out in nature away from all the noise.
Sundays are for play, to be with loved ones and to take time to simply enjoy life without anything to do or any place to be. Sundays became special beginning in my early childhood, with the entire family attending Sunday mass in the morning, followed by a pancake breakfast. After that, we were off to the park or the beach with everyone piling in the station wagon!
We would all play together, along with our family dog. In the summer evenings we would have an outdoor barbecue in the backyard, with my dad creatively cooking, giving my mom a break, listening to fantastic music playing in the background and swinging joyfully on the life size wooden swing set.
Other times we just had a simple family dinner for eight at our indoor picnic table!
It was fun, it was tradition. It was wonder in the eyes of a child.
Today Sundays are still the most special day of the week. This is a day where I take time off for self care, reflection, relaxation and time with family and some good friends.
This particular morning as I arose and gazed outdoors, the smell of a brisk fall was in the air, the wispy clouds were floating in a big sky of blue and colorful autumn leaves were blanketed over the streets and sidewalks.
A feeling of wonder came over me. The simplicity of this beauty was something to be grateful for.
Gratitude and thankfulness would fill my heart. I thought, what a beautiful way to begin this day.
Half asleep, I wandered into the kitchen to make my bullet proof coffee. I looked on my phone for a you tube video to listen to.
My typical morning habits included listening to a podcast or a video to inspire and motivate me; something I could learn from and level up in some way to create a positive note to charge the beginning of my day.
This particular morning I chose to listen to one of my favorite mentors, thought leaders and pastor of a large church in Texas.
As he began sharing the good news I listened and then shortly into his sermon something he said struck me and stopped me dead in my tracks.
That’s it! Yes! God is speaking to ME right now!
I told myself that I needed to write down exactly what he said so I wouldn’t forget it.
These words resonated so deeply with me that I wanted to remind myself of this message daily.
I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a pen and paper to scribble quickly and concisely what he had said.
These were his exact words
“God will never ask you to give something up without giving you something better in return.”
It was as if he was speaking directly to me. Have you ever experienced that feeling?
Oh how these words grabbed at my heart! Over the last several weeks I had been feeling somewhat reluctant, a bit scared and questioning whether or not the plans I’d been forging ahead with were really His plans for me or my plans. I found myself doubting my decision, doubling back, finding reasons to postpone the future vision of my life.
Instead, I thought I should be asking “what if” questions that would create curiosity and wonder to help me move forward in the direction I was convinced God was leading me.
The pastors words rang so true! I repeated them again to myself….
“God will never ask me to give something up without giving me something better in return”. That’s it!
Yes! I need to remember this!
After all, I had good reason to doubt this move of significant change and uncertainty. A lot of changes had happened in my life. My best friend and sister Shannon of 58 years had died without warning. It was only recently that I was an empty nester with both of my children growing wings like eagles. I had just ended what I thought was a promising romantic long distance relationship of 3 years and now found myself packing up my home of almost 10 years, leaving my loving Siamese cat behind and planning an international move!
Traveling solo with nothing concrete but a suitcase and backpack in hand was my immediate future. Destination, Italy.
For reassurance I told myself that all I needed to do is look back on my history and recognize all those times that God had full filled His promises to me. His favor was always, without a doubt, bigger and better than anything I could possibly have done alone!
I repeated…..something better…..yes…something better is about to come….I was feeling relieved.
If that wasn’t enough of an omen, can you believe what happened next? The piece of paper that I had grabbed in a hurry to jot down the pastors words was an old daily calendar where you tear off the pages each day; you know the kind.
Flipping the daily note over it read,
“if you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading”
Wow! What an omen! God goes big when He is trying to deliver a message to us.
Perhaps He knew that I needed an extra boost of trust, confidence and knowing that yes, He is leading and listening?
What about you? Are you questioning what is next for you in your life?
Are you doubting what you feel He is calling you to do?
Can you trust Him and follow His lead today?
Can you turn from “whoa is me, I can’t do that” to asking yourself empowering questions like “what IF I was to do that?”
My friend, God works in such wondrous ways to show us His calling for our lives. He will reaffirm at every moment, the desires of our hearts when they are in tandem with His plans. He will make himself known to us, especially when we are scared, confused or unclear, questioning what He has next for us. He wants us to move forward so that we are making progress. He doesn’t care about perfection. He’s got that one. It’s simply taking the next best step. Take that small step today and show Him that you are listening and being obedient to His calling for your life.
Prayer: Dear God, I know you are listening. You know the desires of my heart. Please help me to listen better to you, be obedient and recognize your signs and wonders. Please remind me to be still, slow down and wait for your soft calm voice. Your promises are my breakthroughs. Teach me. Bless me with your wisdom. Amen
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