Jen’s Gem: When you seek God, you will find Him.

This weekend, I attended an author festival at my local library. Among the many activities on the schedule was an open mic event in which authors read from their work. I had an opportunity to share an excerpt from my book, “Finding God. Finding Me.”

One of the other authors got choked up as he was reading about his late father. When I spoke with him afterwards, he had no explanation for the surprise emotions as his father’s passing was not recent. I told him that I too had lost my Dad and there are times when it backs up on me as well.

The anniversary of my father’s passing is this month. He’s been gone for six years. In some respects, it seems like yesterday and in others, it feels like a millennium.  Time is weird, isn’t it? It’s also his birthday in a few days so I have two opportunities to remember him – not that he is relegated to the back of my mind the rest of the year but this month, he is particularly prominent.

In fact, the other day I got a text from a friend who was in a coffee shop and told me that a Frank Sinatra tune was playing. I vividly recall my father singing “It Had To Be You” at one of his gigs.

It’s these little “gifts” that touch my heart and remind me of his love. Not a showy kind of love, but a steady, always there kind of love.

It’s a bit like the love our Father in heaven has for us. Oh sure, He is perfectly capable of the big displays (remember what Jesus did?), yet it’s in the little things that He does that really move me. For example:

• Getting that convenient parking space when I’m in a rush.
• Having the plumber not charge me full price for a recent visit.
• Receiving an out of the blue text complimenting my parenting.

These are not earth-shattering events. These are not splitting the Red Sea moments. But, they are no less impactful. Why?

Because it shows that God cares about EVERY detail of my life, not just the big stuff. He knows my “love language.” He knows me.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV emphasis mine)

We are living in times where people don’t know how much they are loved by their Creator. They see the horrors in our world and think God has taken a vacation. He’s given up on us. But this is soo NOT true!

How do I know this?

Page after page in the Bible are accounts of a world gone wild in which God always saves His kids. Over and over, we see His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. It’s a love we can’t comprehend because it doesn’t exist on earth.

But it does exist. All you have to do is look at the Cross and what Jesus did so that we could one day join our Father (and my father) in heaven forever.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 emphasis mine)

I miss my Dad. I miss him a lot. I miss talking to him, playing cards with him (though I do not miss losing!), and sharing a cold beer. God knows this about me. He knows how much I’d love to hear my father’s voice again. So, what does He do?

He prompts a friend to share a text message mentioning Frank Sinatra. He places a stranger in my path to read a book about his father. Little things. Little things that mean so much.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isiah 41:10 NKJV emphasis mine)

During this extra hour we have been blessed with today, I want to encourage you to think about the little things in your life – those moments where God has shown – or is trying to show you how much He loves you. Slow down, pay attention. Don’t miss it.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV emphasis mine)

God wants to touch your heart. He wants to heal your heart. Let Him.