At the beginning of our Sunday church services, we sign an attendance sheet that meanders down the aisle. I was at the end, so I quickly signed our name, address, and membership status. They had added a question in the last space on the right: “Your God sightings.”
It reminded me of a time when I changed doctors and had to fill out a complex form. Have you noticed that when they ask for family history, they give you a space about the size of a toothpick?
The doctor’s questionnaire asked, “Who in your family has or had heart disease?” They wanted the names in that tiny space, which was impossible. I needed an entire page. So, I solved the problem by writing in tiny print: “Everybody but my Mama!”
When the doctor came in, he was reading my history and burst out laughing. “You know, that’s how I’m going to answer that question when it is asked!”
I was glad I could help him out.
So, when I saw the question about my recent God sightings, I started filling in the gaps left by others.
“I see God when I look at a cross, or see a newborn child, or a flower blooming…”
But the preacher started preaching, and I realized I might need to wrap it up. So, I ended with: “I see God everywhere.”
Recognizing God’s presence in everyday moments can inspire gratitude and awe.
But do other folks not see Him?
He got in the car with me the other day. Sure did! I needed to return a blouse at Marshalls and save $19.99. I pulled into a parking space next to a shiny, pearl-white Tesla.
As usual, I was careful opening my door to avoid hitting another car. Just as I did, a sudden wind gust—felt like a small tornado—rushed between my Subaru and that pretty, little, expensive car. The wind yanked the door from my hand and slammed it into the side of what was probably the nicest car in the lot.
The rain started pouring as I sat there, wondering what to do.
I could leave, couldn’t I? The owner might never notice the gray paint and the dent on his back door… right?
I could rush away, forget the $19.99, and maybe not even mention it at home. Who would believe the wind caused it anyway?
Just as I was about to rev my engine and follow that devilish thought home, the Lord opened my passenger door and sat down. Scared the devil right out of me!
“Now, Lynn…you know I saw that wind. And I heard that door slam. Do you really want to drive away with Me sitting in the car?”
Well, I got caught again.
I dug around for a pen and paper to leave a note. Would you believe the only piece of paper I could find was a church program? I tucked it under the Tesla’s windshield wiper and drove home without returning the blouse.
Mr. Tesla turned out to be a very kind man. He knew the weather had been terrible and thanked me for my honesty. A few days later, with proper paperwork, I sent him a check for quite a bit more than $19.99.
If that had happened when I was a single mother with very limited funds, would I have done the same thing?
Honestly, I’m not sure.
I loved God back then, too. I pray I would have done the same thing, but I might have needed an 8-year payment plan at $19.99 per month, and no new blouses.
God sightings happen often, but we sometimes ignore them. Not because we don’t see—but because we don’t always want to know what He’s thinking or what He’s trying to correct within us.
Even when we clearly see Him in the front seat, it can be hard to respond.
But He’s there.
And usually, when we do what we know is right, we are blessed.
God was all around that parking lot that day—as He is every day. He is in the hospital bringing new life into the world, in the rain falling on spring flowers, and was on the cross when His Son suffered.
He is with you and Mr. Tesla as well.
Turns out, God sightings don’t need a lot of space to write down.
Just a little honesty.
A little courage.
And maybe…a church program when that’s all you’ve got.
Because once you start looking, you’ll see Him everywhere—
In the big things.
In the small things.
Even in the moments you’d rather avoid.
And sometimes…
He’s already riding shotgun.
