There’s a movement in my town, specifically in my church, called Godwinks. OK, so maybe I’m exaggerating by calling it a movement. It’s really more like my friend Shannon giving something amazing a name, you know, ’cause she’s smart like that. (Editor’s note: Apparently, there’s a book about this and Shannon didn’t actually coin the term. But she’s the one that told me about it, so I’m sticking to my story about her being “smart like that.”)
So what’s a Godwink? Well, I’m so glad you asked. A Godwink is that moment when something happens and you know it’s from God. You know it because you feel it and because there’s no other way to explain it except through His power. Those moments are God winking at us to remind us He is in control and is always working in our lives. I’ve felt His presence in this way so many times before, but then I met Shannon and she explained it as a Godwink. I knew we’d be friends in that very moment because she’d put a name to something I’d felt all my life.
Godwinks happen all the time! Sometimes, it can be a moment of clarity about something you’ve been praying over for a while. It can be a specific sermon you needed at just the right time. It can be a song on the radio that speaks to you as if the lyrics were written for you in that instant. It can be a friend saying the right thing when you need it. It can be a bible verse showing up when it’s relevant to your situation (and then showing up again and again.) All Godwinks. When you pray about something and the door is wide open? Godwink. When you’re seeking guidance on a decision and the door closes? Godwink.
You see, there are no coincidences in God’s plan. Everything works according to His will! So those moments, when you think something happening around you is sheer coincidence, it’s not! It’s a Godwink. Pay attention. Godwinks happen often, and they are so amazing each time. Now that they have a fun name to identify them, can you remember any specific Godwinks in your life?
In a completely unrelated note: Here’s my most recent story on The War Eagle Reader. Auburn grad Robin O’Bryant is the author of a top-ranked parenting humor book. “Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves” has been a hit with parents and non-parents across the country. You can find Robin on Twitter or you can read her blog, Robin’s Chicks. This was such a fun interview, and I can’t wait to read the book. You can buy it here.
I notice Godwinks all of the time, Victoria! For the past couple of years I’ve been contemplating relocating back to Georgia–specifically, Athens, Georgia. I’ve noticed that invariably when I’m praying about God’s plan for my life, I will see a UGA sign. Since I live in the land of Tennessee Vols (Memphis) it is rare to see a Georgia Bulldog symbol. It actually happened this morning driving into work…Saying a prayer, happened to look to the left and at that exact moment a car passed by with a Georgia “G” license plate on the front of the car. If I had glanced over even a split second later, I would not have seen it. But because I DID see it, I just smiled and thanked God for listening to me and being with me all of the time.
LOVE! Y’know … I love blog conferences … even though I HATE crowds! Somehow the learning at blog conferences is worth it. And generally there are a lot of other introvert types among the attendees so I don’t have to repeatedly explain myself and my preference for a laptop, over a person, for companionship! So I WANTED to go to Blissdom. But the budget and the checkbook said “that’s a big negatory, lady blogger!” And I was content with not going. And then all of a sudden I had a ticket, my lodging was paid for, all I had to do was take 3 days off work and get there. So I did … knowing that there was something that God wanted to say to me that He would say at Blissdom. And speak He did. He rocked my world and changed my focus and my writing. He gave me a dream. And maybe … He even winked!