God winks

One of the biggest things I took away from my summer working at Camp Winshape was "God winks."  That time your heart was warmed when your worst camper gave you the biggest hug, you had an awful day and look down at your phone to see an encouraging text from a friend, you smile to yourself after seeing something that reminds you of home, someone sent you a letter in the mail, you received a compliment from the patient you thought despised your guts, you saw an amazing sunset, you witnessed change in someone's life, etc.  All those times you were reminded God has His eye on you, that He is by your side, and that He has good in store for you.  This week I'm thankful for the ways God has reminded me He is in control.  

After a run last week I noticed an empty swing on the nearby playground.  And so I did like most people should do when they see an empty swing, I used it.  Later that day an exert from my journal read..."How freeing it is to swing.  To feel like you're flying and there is no limit to how high you can go.  And the feeling of air brushing against your cheeks making them rosy and pink.  Kinda relates to how freeing a relationship with God can be.  He releases me from bondage and baggage so I can reach the sky.  His presence is like the wind brushing against my cheeks, reminding me I'm not alone." (photo credit of summer 2009)

A hike to the "Big Rock" reminded me of the greatness of God, looking out over the farmlands and pastures, being able to see for miles and miles.  Thankful that the same God who created those miles and miles of land has enough grace and mercy to have a plan for my life.  What a majestic and sovereign God we serve.    

Humble.  That's how I felt after attending YoungLives Club last week.  I've been blessed to volunteer occasionally with YoungLives, a ministry for teen moms, in Spokane.  It's like youth group, but the students come with kids, there is dinner, childcare, games, crafts, and story telling.  Last week the story was about Shauna (the YL leader) and her best friend, Jesus.  These teen moms (and a few dads) are experiencing truth, hope, and love. 

So this one time my dear friend Candice and I were driving across country.  After miles and miles of corn fields and pastures of cattle we started to see mountains in the distance, snow capped mountains (the Grand Tetons).  It was awesome.  Out of nowhere rose these beautiful mountains dipped in fresh white snow.  Needless to say, we were mesmerized, ecstatic, and sitting on the edge of our seats.  Yesterday my friend Tamara got to experience my same giddy excitement when I saw the snow capped Cascade Mountains.  There is just something incredible about mountains dipped in snow.  After countless miles of nothing, God brings out something majestic.  All those times in life when we thought our life was dull, God was preparing us for something awesome.  I can name numerous times in my life when God surprised me with something spectacular.   

Sunsets are by far my favorite time of day.  The end of a day, whether good or bad, happy or sad, busy or lazy, dreary or full of sunshine.  The glimmer of light from the sun shining its last light for the day constantly reminds me of the Lord's faithfulness.  That He does have a plan, He allowed me to make it through this day, and He has the next day planned too.  Sunsets for me have always been a time where I can sit in solitude with the Lord, marveling at His beauty and basking in His presence.

Be on the lookout, God is winking at you too.  "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you, he rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all who wait on Him."  Isaiah 30:18