Winks of God

Twenty-five years ago, when I moved to Saskatoon with my six children, I found a job working at Scott’s Parable Christian Bookstore. I loved being immersed in an environment of beautiful Christian art, books, and music, and it was there that I first heard the phrase ‘Winks of God’ in a book that I read.

Since then, I’ve been on the watch for ‘winks’ every day – little things that make my heart smile and feel grateful to God. It could be something like seeing my favorite bird or number, or the message on the side of a delivery truck that says, “What You Need, When You Need It!”

These are constant reminders to me that God Is Always with Us, and that Nothing Is Impossible for God.

After retiring and moving a few times, I ended up coming to Wakaw five years ago. I didn’t know anyone here, but it felt like a wink of God when I discovered that there was a National Shrine to St. Therese here, as she has been one of my favorite saints since childhood. Also, I was within 50 km of where my ancestors settled when they immigrated to Canada in 1900.

My family and friends would often ask me, “So, what do you do all day?”

And I would answer truthfully, “That’s a good question…whatever I am led to do.”

Every morning before getting out of bed, I pray to be shown what to do, and say, and where to go, and I’m often surprised how the day unfolds in ways that I never expected or imagined.

Though I still make ‘to do’ lists each day, I try to open my eyes, ears, and heart to letting go of my plans, and allowing the Holy Spirit to show me what I’m called to do each day.

Like St. Therese, may we have childlike eyes and hearts to see the winks of God that come our way this summer!

“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire!”                                                                                                                                                                                              

-St. Catherine of Siena