- When God winks it's like He is saying, "I have you in the palm of my hand".
When you have a dream or goal, sometimes it can seem like it's taking a long time, or like nothing is happening. Anyone who knows anything about Greek Girl knows that I have been going after my dream and goal for a long time. Yes, even your "Happy the Glass is Always Full Greek Girl next door" can come down with the blahs every now and again. Happens even to the best of us.
Well this weekend I performed at an event in NJ where Governor Chris Christie was speaking. One thing you might not know about me is that I got my start performing by doing National Anthems. Starting with High School sports games, College and local events. Then I got my courage up and started reaching out to Professional Sports Teams. I got a reputation for showing up on time, singing it on key, respectful (that's without a lot of crazy ornamentation that dilutes the original melody of the song for anyone who might be wondering), and for doing it in the time they asked for, either 90 or 120 seconds. One of the teams I developed a great relationship with was The NJ Devils Hockey Team.
Back to present day, Saturday at the event. Someone I had not seen in over 10+ yrs. wasn't aware that I was performing. When I started singing in his head he went "That's AVA!" He recognized my voice. After I was done I went back to my seat at a table in the front. So I'm sitting there waiting for the program to begin and I see a face I recognized scooting up to our table with a Great Big smile on his mug.
He said "Do you remember me"?... Talk about a Godwink. One of my very favorite books is "Godwinks" by Squire Rushnell. If you've never read it, here's my short interpretation: It illustrates through a series of unique stories from all kinds of different people in different situations and walks of life - that although at the time we might not see it, God always has us in the palm of his hands. He is there lining up the details, arranging things, the right people, the right breaks, all of it. He knows the end from the beginning, and when you look back on a situation it is clear that God was there all along. Some might brush these stories off as coincidences... but when you have an "ah ha" moment about a person or situation looking back on it, that at the time was difficult or confusing.... you have a feeling, a knowing a peace. It was God, and all along he was there giving you little winks of encouragement, as if to say "I'm here, trust me, I have you in the palm of my hand." If we watch for them we can spot them, it's amazing to have these moments in our lives.
After pursuing something for so long, something that I know was put in me for a reason, that seems in the natural to be taking way too long... what happened Saturday for me was a total Godwink. Turns out that smiling mug was the very same guy who used to book me to sing The Anthem for the NJ Devils. To have a person from the past who has not heard me sing in over 10+ years, not have any idea Who was singing, to hear me sing and "recognize my voice" from the way way way back of the ballroom. To be excited enough to walk all the way up to the front of the room, seek me out to tell me - for me, that was confirmation. It was like God saying to me, "Chill out Greek Girl, I have you in the palm of my hand'.
There are times today when it can be hard sometimes "not" to be discouraged. Things are going faster, the world is getting crazier by the day, and all too often we are bombarded with so much of the bad news that it can be hard to see the "good". In these times, it is more important than ever that we keep on the lookout. Remember the one who cares for us, loves us, is there with us. Holding and guiding us, Godwinks like a little smile from heaven signaling everything will be alright.
good story
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