Are You Looking For a Sign?
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute.
When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke . . .
(Luke 11:14 NIV)
I picture the formerly mute man.
Totally amazed.
By this tangible revelation of God’s heart for him.
Pointed and personal.
His own sign that Jesus sees him.
And cares.
About his cares.
This miracle, though, pops up without preamble or segue.
Just bam, there it is.
Immediately following a discourse on prayer.
Leaving me wondering whether or not we’re to consider this miracle beneath the umbrella of prayer.
I’ll end up landing beneath the umbrella, but let’s finish the verse . . .
and the crowd was amazed.
Well, most of the crowd is amazed.
Except for, next verses, the ones who aren’t.
The ones evaluating the sign.
Or seeking a different sign.
As if the sign they’ve just witnessed is not enough, to their liking, or even noticed.
It must be exhausting being Jesus . . .
This week my new IMac arrives.
The directions say to plug it in directly beside the old IMac.
Where the two will engage in a silent conversation resulting in the seamless “migration” of my files and icons.
Like magic.
Poof!
Only there’s no poof.
Because, as I will discover, my old Mac is too old to participate in magical silent conversations.
Turns out I need a gadget.
Then a wire to fit the gadget.
Then an adapter to fit the wire.
Three separate trips to three different stores.
Frustrating.
Last trip, last store, last clerk . . . Tiffany.
Hallelujah.
So deep is my gratitude that I close my eyes and raise both arms right there in Walmart’s electronics department.
And pray blessings over Tiffany.
I’m a little worried about her reaction, but when I open my eyes Tiffany wears a look of wonder.
“How did you know?” she breathes.
“How did you know I received bad news last night?”
I didn’t know, but her reaction feels like the mute man’s.
Compete amazement that God sees her.
Right where she is.
In Walmart.
At work on a difficult day.
And cares.
About her cares.
Now I’m amazed.
Because Tiffany’s sign takes place under the umbrella of prayer.
Nothing to do with me . . . everything to do with what happens when the channel of conversation between heaven and earth is open.
When Ron died my most fervent prayer was, admittedly, selfish.
“I just want to be happy again . . .”
Happiness felt out of reach.
So I began a happiness list in the back of my journal.
To document answers to my prayer.
Mostly tiny moments made the list at first.
Then bigger moments.
At some point, though, that season passed.
The list and prayers were forgotten.
Until this morning.
When I’m struck by a realization.
I am happy.
I’m getting better at living without Ron.
A sign for sure.
Tangible evidence of a God who sees me.
Who cares about my cares.
And my forgotten prayers.
I reconsider the mute man.
Some in the crowd that day may have been skeptical, disgruntled, or just plain oblivious.
But I’m betting, as the mute man began to speak, he was lost in wonder.
At the miracle designed with him in mind.
Pointed and personal.
Me too, buddy, me too . . .
See you in a couple weeks.
Love,
Thank you, Cindy.
You are so welcome, Mary. Miss seeing you . . .
Good one Cindy! Thanks
Thanks, M!
Thank you Cindy for always helping me see the happy places buried in my grief. Sometimes we need to clear our minds of our sadness over a loss of our loved one and thank our God for all the goodness he bestowes on us: our faith, family, and friends. I am blessed when I look around at others. I really don’t want anything except the people I’ve had to bury the last two years. That reunion will take place one day in heaven for sure! Like I said by grace I am blessed for sure!!! Best wishes for a great day and week for you and everyone.
I know what you mean about wanting those people we’ve buried . . . Best wishes for your day and week!
This will resonate into my day and my heart.
I look forward to hearing from you every other Monday. It’s always so personal and meets my
spiritual needs of the moment.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful life experiences that remind us of God’s awesome
love.
You are so welcome. It really is my honor to write what I hear the Lord saying to me.
Seeing your message lifts my heart even before I read it! I know it will a blessing for my day!😁
You have blessed MY day, Peggy!
I read something the other day that we should start looking for glimmers instead of triggers. Glimmers are those things.. subtle reminders that Jesus loves us and cares about us. It can be anything very simple from a kind word or text from a friend or a beautiful daffodil that has bloomed in the yard. It triggers me happy!!!
You should write my next blog all about glimmers!
I love this! I was thinking a couple of days ago about the time I spent in TN after a horrible divorce….i prayed a lot and was amazed at the ways God answered those prayers. I had such faith! It reminded me that I need to get that faith back! I’m diligently seeking and praying about it and waiting for God to show up and show out…. And in the way only he can! 😘
He always comes through! Love you!
Cindy, God has blessed you with the gift of words. Thank you.
Thank you, Susan, for your encouragement.
Hey Cindy, I love this message how God sees us in sometimes surprising ways—especially under the umbrella of prayer.
I need to ponder and read this again……❤️
I didn’t mention this in the blog, but after Tiffany told me she’d had bad news I asked if there was something specific she wanted me to pray about. She said no, just do what you just did again! So I did. By this time I’m pretty sure we had an audience!