Author Ava Pennington
Author Ava Pennington

God winkEver have God wink at you?

You’re going along through your routine day, and something unusual or special happens.

Others might call it a coincidence, but the sense of joy you receive tells you it wasn’t merely a convergence of random circumstances. Rather, it’s a personal reminder that our loving God is actively involved in the lives of His children.

It could be the most ordinary of events. Or it could be something extraordinary. Sometimes it’s not so much about the event as it is about the timing.

For example, hubby and I were talking about how we haven’t seen much wildlife around our home in the past several weeks. We usually see rabbits, snakes, sandhill cranes, and other birds and animals, but the fauna had been hiding lately. Then, within two days, I saw 2 large rabbits hop across our lawn, a shiny, 2-foot black snake slither across the grass, and our family of cranes strut across the backyard.

Coincidences, you say? Then how about this one…

Hubby’s mom lived with us for most of our marriage. You’ll never meet a sweeter woman. Sadly, in her last years, she suffered from a variety of illnesses, including dementia. We struggled to find things that would bring a smile to her face and make her eyes light up the way they used to.

One day, during an outing to the local mall, she saw a store selling electric organs/pianos. The joy that lit her face was almost tangible, so we purchased a small organ and she loved playing with it for the remaining months she had with us.

Well, for the past 18 years, that organ sat in a corner of our home, unused. We finally decided to sell it earlier this year. I listed it on various marketplace sites, to no avail. I displayed it at a garage sale—it almost sold, but the buyer changed her mind at the last minute.

Finally, I listed it on Craig’s list. Within 2 days we received an email that said:

I’m interested in this because my 85-year-old grandmother has dementia and all she talks about is how she played the piano in church when she was younger. She lives in a mobile home, so we’re looking for something small that will fit there.

A day later, the buyer picked up the organ and that evening texted a picture of her grandmother sitting on the piano bench, hands on the keyboard, and smiling the broadest smile you would ever want to see.

God orchestrated events so that the electric organ that brought joy to someone with dementia would be held in reserve until it could bring joy to another person with dementia 18 years later.

Coincidence? I don’t believe that for a minute.

I recently completed a Bible study of the Book of Romans. The last chapter is one many people skim through, or often skip altogether. Why? It’s filled with a list of names—most of which mean little or nothing to us today.

But those names tell me that God cares about individuals. He knows your name and mine. He is actively involved in the lives of His children. Sometimes He does it as His Holy Spirit gives an extra measure of peace in a difficult situation. Or He might do it by opening an opportunity you thought was closed.

Sometimes He does it with a wink.

Have you experienced a God wink? Share it in the comments!

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13 Comments

  1. Patricia L. Bean

    Ava…i hadn’t heard this expression before last december…one afternoon, i had harry in the park with his muzzle on to stop him from eating everything in sight, and a couple of kids came over and asked about my ‘mean’ dog (harry is 100 lbs of goffy golden retriever)…and a woman was sitting on a bench and he dragged me toward her…i was prepared to pull him away until she urged him over…he hopped up next to her and practically sat in her lap and she started hugging and petting him while i apologized for his behavior….the woman started talking telling me she had been recently diagnosed with ms and was having problems adjusting to the diagnosis, the medication and the impact on her life…i sat down and told her i understood what she was going thru and got the ‘yeah, right’ look, until i told her i had gotten the same diagnosis 20 years earlier….an hour later, after we exchanged phone numbers, harry and i started home and the woman called out that this had been a ‘God wink’ – it was the first time i heard the expression and couldn’t agree more, and i find the fact that a dog was the medium that brought us together was even more incredible

  2. Ava Pennington

    What a terrific story, Patty! Thank you for sharing it.

  3. Evie

    God loves when we realize He’s winking!!! Thank you for the reminder!

  4. Barbara Farenwald

    Ava, I so enjoyed reading this as i often do get God winks! No coincidence but truly something that was fin and heartwarming as the story you shared! Oh God, Lord loves to make us smile…..what a loving father we serve.

  5. Ava Pennington

    Yes, Barbara, He is indeed a loving Father!

  6. Debbie

    Beautiful and encouraging story! Thank you for sharing!

  7. Ava Pennington

    Thank you, Debbie.

  8. Mickey Howe Wich

    Ava, God is Good! There are so many “winks” at me I could go on and on. I share them with my friends and in the past I have used the word “miracle “ but I think I’m going to change that to “wink” because it’s not so dramatic. Thank you for another teaching experience. I learn so much from you. I am blessed to know you!!

  9. Ava Pennington

    Thank you, Mickey.

  10. Loretta

    I truly believe personal and beautiful provisions have God’s fingerprints all over it!

  11. Ava Pennington

    Me, too, Loretta!

  12. Robin Watkins

    Ava I Loved this story! God winked at me at least twice this week!

  13. Ava Pennington

    So glad, Robin!

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