God-sightings

Have you ever experienced a coincidence that just seemed so entirely coincidental that it just couldn’t possibly have been a coincidence? Often times we Christians says “it was providential” instead of saying “it was a coincidence.” I learned a new way to look at it – God-Sightings. In addition to being a new way to view so-called coincidences, it’s about noticing God in the everyday, ordinary things that you otherwise might not attribute to God being at work in your life. I’ve been experiencing a number of these God-sightings lately. I think it’s more a result of me noticing more than that God is actually at work more. Either way, it’s all God and it’s all good.

The first in a string of God-sightings took place in the SeaTac airport last week Wednesday. I was traveling to MI for my GEMS training and had prayed specifically about who I would be seated next to or would meet in the airport. The last time I flew I got a little anxious about that and since that was so recent, I was anxious that I would be anxious. On my first flight from BLI to SEA, I sat next to a nice Presbyterian man who was very friendly and shared about their college ministry group at their church and he seemed genuinely impressed by what I shared about the GEMS ministry.

When I arrived in SEA, I initially called my friend in Minnesota so that we could chat, as it had been a long time and that seemed like a good way to pass the time. After we talked, I got some food and coffee and ventured back to the gate area. By this time, it was crowded and I looked around for a place to sit that wasn’t RIGHT next to another person. I choose a seat and looked around. Sometimes it’s interesting to watch people. The gal next to me was reading a book by an author I had read in the past and so when she stopped reading, I said to her, “That’s a good author. I like her stuff.” The gal responded with “Yeah, though I think I should not be reading this. It’s all about plane crashes and stuff.”

Hm. Yeah. Probably shouldn’t have told me that either.

But, nevertheless, we continued to make small talk and discovered that we were both traveling all the way to Grand Rapids together. Bravely, she said to me, “You’re not going to the GEMS thing, are you?” Oh. My. Goodness!!

We immediately began introducing ourselves to each other, discovered we were seated in the same row on the airplane, discovered we live barely 15 minutes apart (even though we live in two different COUNTRIES), discovered we were both new at this job of Area Coordinator, and generally just got along great from the moment we met. I told her I had prayed about who I would meet because I was nervous about it and she said, “I like being an answer to prayer!” She’s so cute.

Anyway, Tracey is now my new friend and over the weekend we spent together we discovered many more ways in which we are similar (scrapbooking and cold hands, anyone?) and we are so thankful for the opportunity to notice God working in our lives to bring us together!

My partner in this venture as the AC for Washington State is Tami. She is the Leadership Trainer. While I don’t have the privilege of living near her (she is on the east side), we get along and work together so well. I know her sister and one of her friends from college is a close friend of mine as well. I am honored to work with her, and I know that God intended for us to partner together in this ministry.

I recently went into a local gift shop to purchase a gift for my mom who has been taking care of my kids a lot lately while I’ve been gone. I was telling the ladies in the store about this as they gift-wrapped the necklace I chose. One of the employees says, “Oh, I’ve seen those GEMS magazines in the library and wondered what that was all about! I have a daughter who will be in 7th grade and she’s in Girl Scouts, which is fine, but we just want something more for her. This GEMS club sounds perfect!” My chin about hit the floor. I’ve been in that store many times, but never met that lady. I don’t typically share tidbits of my life with salespeople, but they were so friendly and seemed genuinely interested. And then. I felt such shame. I had not yet opened my new business cards for GEMS and so had nothing to give her for information! I asked her for a post-it and I wrote it all down for her. You better believe the first thing I did when I got home was to open my business cards and put some in my wallet like I was told. Now I give them to everyone I meet. :) Seriously. I’ve handed out about 6 in two days! :) Okay, a couple were just to my friends, but still. Anyway, next time I’m in town when that store is open, I’m bringing in a business card to her.

I have a friend from high school whose father is dying from cancer. I haven’t been able to get in touch with her because she moved (she lives in Montana) and the email address I have is old. I’ve been thinking about her and praying for her so much. On Wednesday, my daughter and I were having a talk in the van, sitting outside my mom’s house, before I dropped her off there. I was then headed to my other daughter’s piano lesson. A gal walks by on the sidewalk and it’s my friend from high school! Seriously. That is no coincidence, people! I sent my daughter in and stood on the sidewalk with her and chatted for about a half an hour until I HAD to go get my daughter and she HAD to get home so that her mom wouldn’t worry. She was here visiting her dad and just was out taking a walk. She & I have always had the ability to get right to the meat of a matter – no small chit chat with us. So I got the details on her dad, how she’s feeling, how they’re getting through their days, everything. So, so, good. We both said over and over what a gift and blessing our meeting there on the sidewalk was that day.

At my training last weekend I learned about CIT’s (Counselor-In-Training). We have never used them in our club, but the idea intrigued me after learning about mentoring them and how great it is for both them and the younger girls (& not to mention the counselors!) I prayed about it and a name came to mind. A few days ago, I was talking to this girl’s mom and she shared how this daughter was just an “outside the box” kind of kid. Later I emailed the mom and asked if it was OK if I asked her daughter to be a CIT. Her mom emailed back: “What a nice email for me to receive! My daughter mentioned just the other day that she’d like to be CIT!” I thought, wow! It’s all God’s timing. I talked to the girl today and I could just tell she was excited to be asked. She said yes immediately and the mom later told me she was tickled pink. I am excited and nervous about this new venture, but we’re just gonna follow God’s leading on this one too!

I’d love to hear about God-sightings from the readers of my blog. Feel free to share a comment or send me an email to tell your story!