God–Wink Moments

Divine Intervention, luck, or fate?

I will describe a “God-Wink Moment” as a coincidence or event that seems unnaturally timely. It happens out of the blue or without expectation and seems to have come at “just the right time.” Some may perceive these events as “heaven-sent,” while others attribute them to luck or fate.

A compelling god-wink moment that happened to me in the year 2000.  It was a challenging year for myself and my family.  My mother and mother-in-law had both been diagnosed with cancer.  We lived in Alabama, my mother was in Texas, and my mother-in-law lived in New York. I became the primary caregiver to my mother.  My four children and I spent much of the summer at her home in Texas while she underwent chemotherapy.  Then, in the fall, we all returned to Texas for her surgery and the first few weeks of recovery.  I had to take my children out of school as my husband was helping his mother in NY. We stayed with her until my elderly father could take over her care. 

Shortly after we returned home, I received a letter from a friend of my Aunt Kathryn, my father’s only sister, from whom I had been named.  She had written to me to ask me to bring my father to see his sister.  My Aunt was living in a nursing home, and her health was failing.  Kathryn dearly wanted to see my father, her baby brother, one more time before she passed.

But I had only recently returned home from Texas, and my life and my kids’ lives had been erratic and disorganized for months. I wanted to help my father see his sister, but I was desperately unclear about the correct answer. I was tired and had not even adjusted to a regular daily routine.

I could not think clearly. Should I take my father to see his sister, leave my children with their father, or take them with me? Should they be taken out of school for another week? What would this mean for their academics? I was literally sitting in the middle of my bed, crying, praying for some direction, some advice, or wisdom to help me make the decision.

The phone rang, and I answered. It was Sister Maureen, the principal of my children’s Catholic school. She had never called me before or since. I am not even sure if she had a legitimate reason for calling that day, but as soon as I recognized her voice, all I could do was blurt out through my tears that I needed her advice and wisdom. I told her that I had been praying for a message. I shared my situation, and she gave me the needed guidance.

 I absolutely chose to believe that this was a divine intervention. I asked for help, and my higher power provided it for me. I was able to make a decision and a choice that was good for the entire family.  I was able to live with the decision that I made that day without regret, doubt, or guilt.

Please share this with anyone you feel it can help, and take a few minutes to check out some of the other blog entries.