God-wink: an event or personal experience (often described as a coincidence) so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention, especially when perceived as the answer to a prayer. (definition from Wiktionary)

This week I’ve had several conversations with folks about God-winks.  Those moments that may seem like a coincidence at first, but describing them as such just doesn’t sit right.  Because it feels like there’s more to it.  After all, some have said that coincidences are just God trying to be anonymous anyway.  God-winks are those moments where we experience something that defies logical explanations.  Sometimes it’s truly extraordinary and sometimes it’s simple.  But it does feel astonishing, uplifting, and/or mysterious.

I’ve sometimes called these experiences Thin Place moments.  The ancient Celts believed that there were some sacred places where the space between heaven and earth is thin.  In such places, it is easy to have an encounter with God/the divine.  Though it dawned on me years ago that maybe Thin Places are not just physical places we could point to on a map, but are also moments in time.  

Experiencing God-winks or Thin Place moments can be uplifting, but not that rare I would argue.  Not if we have an open heart to receive the gift, to recognize that we cannot go where God is not.  

Think about your own life’s journey for a moment.  Have you experienced a God-wink? 
Maybe you recognized in the moment that what happened was more than a coincidence. 
Or maybe it dawned on you gradually. 
Maybe it was the kind of overwhelming experience that leaves us speechless or maybe it was a simple sign that helped lift our spirits when we were low.

Either way, thank you, God, for Thin Places and God-winks.

Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by Rev. Lauren L. Ostrout

Thursday Thoughts 8/18/22