What did you notice today? I asked myself this question every day for the past year. At the beginning of 2019. I chose “notice” as my word for the year because I wanted to intentionally notice God in my ordinary days.
I know from God’s Word that He is always with me:
“He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
(Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
But often I’m too busy to notice Him! By asking myself “What did I notice today?” I slowed down for a minute to contemplate how the Father blessed me that day, how the Son made His presence known, how the Spirit whispered God’s truth to me in the Word.
I started this search by reading The God Hunt by Karen Mains. In this book, the author points out four categories of places where she looks for God in her everyday life: any obvious answer to prayer, any unexpected evidence of His care, any help to do God’s work in the world, any unusual linkage or timing.
Using these as a guideline, I’ve become a little better at spotting God at work in my life.
Here are some ways I’ve seen God lately:
Any obvious answer to prayer.
Last week, I met a friend for coffee. We’ve been reading and discussing a book together, so I brought my iPad with the Kindle version of the book. However, when I left the cafe where we met, I forgot my tote bag with the iPad in it. I didn’t notice my forgetfulness until I got home. All the way back, I prayed my bag would still be there. And it was!
Any unexpected evidence of His care.
The winter canopy of clouds in Chicagoland has left me feeling blue. But just when I needed it most, friends of ours asked my husband and me to meet them for pizza. God knew I needed time with special people!
Any help to do God’s work in the world.
I’ve been working on editing a book for a friend of a friend. This kind of writing is new to me, but God has given me the wisdom needed to complete the project.
Any unusual linkage or timing.
I’ve been praying for a few new piano students. In January I got four new students! Unusual timing in that students usually start lessons at the beginning of the school year, but God’s timing is always best!
Gradually, I’m learning to notice God in the everyday stuff of life.
(It’s not too late to choose your own word for 2020. Here are a few ways you can get more out of your word.)
Next Step: What did you notice today? Take time to write down how you noticed God in an answer to prayer, evidence of His care, help to do His work, or some unusual timing.
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