Throughout the course of history, man has looked for a sign from God…
From Gideon’s thrown out fleece — multiple times — asking God to make the plan perfectly clear — to Jim Carrey crying out to Morgan Freeman’s God character in “Bruce Almighty,” asking how to make people love him — man has long cried out to God. They’ve long asked for a sign. Sometimes, however, things get in the way…
- Circumstance.
- Pain.
- Intelligence.
- Stubbornness.
- Insult.
- Arrogance.
- Lack of submission.
- Feeling of being wronged.
- Need for control. .
… and so much more.
As many are painstakingly aware, I said an earthly goodbye to my young sister this weekend. It was hard. It was hard not only for me, but for my entire family… and the hundreds and hundreds and maybe even thousands of others who loved and admired this beautiful woman.
Nicole’s example has taught me more than any passion or policy or class or curriculum ever could. Her message was more poignant and powerful than any intellectual theory. Note that Nicole remained hopeful and positive as she endured some of life’s seemingly harshest circumstances. She did not waver. She did not cower. She was beautiful and unquestionably brave. Those who stood in line for hours to pay their respect knew what I knew; her message spurs us on. I desire to honor her in the way I now embrace the hope and encouragement she generously and consistently offered to others. I will be a better person because of my sister Nicole. This world is definitely in need of something better.
Driving home yesterday — the near seven hour drive from her house to mine — I had much to ponder. As I like to say, it was time to grieve and rejoice, kind of all at the same time.
But the additional reality is this is still hard — gut-wrenching, actually. Life is hard.
Hence, on the way home, something, uniquely, beautifully, special happened…
For years, my husband and I have seen the hawk as a personal sign, a sign that God is clearly present and loves us in a precious way like absolutely no other. On a good day, we might see a hawk or two. On a seven hour trip, we might see approximately seven. Yesterday, on the drive home, I said, “I know we will see more hawks today than ever before.”
We saw 50. We counted 50.
Did I say 50?
Time to grieve and rejoice all at the same time.
Respectfully…
AR