Sometimes finding God becomes a game of hide and seek.
I’m not always quiet or observant enough to see the Lord’s life in mine. Maybe you can identify with my busy times. Times when activity is at bee-hive level, humming and buzzing with meetings, work, family, illness and deadlines. Prayer time is hard to find, and connecting in any way with God is even harder.
If God is in me, then God is everywhere I am. I know it in my head, but somehow experiencing that melts in the heat of my activity.
Remember the “Where’s Waldo” books? Page after page of crowded, active scenes filled with people and things. Each page filled to the edges with movement and color. The reader’s job was to find one little guy in a striped tee shirt and hat somewhere in the middle of that chaos.
That’s what it feels like. Finding God somewhere in the clutter and confusion of my everyday is a challenge. I’m supposed to find God here? Where is he hiding? I’m running late, I’ve got to get dressed and out the door. You know, I just don’t think I have time for this. Maybe I’ll look for him tomorrow…
We live life on a vast stage. It’s hard to bring it all into focus. We have families, car pools and granola bar breakfasts (if we have time). World politics and tragedies can overwhelm our hearts and flood us with despair. It’s a lot to try and absorb.
How do I find him in all the distraction?
I remember one morning years ago. I had just dropped the kids off at school. My mind was whirling around their science fair projects and did I remember to pack that permission slip? I was on my way to exercise class, then lunch with a friend, topped off by a committee meeting. Oh jeez. What’s for dinner?
And then it happened.
The tune playing on the radio produced a bright ray of light that I couldn’t ignore. The fog of my worries and obsessive thoughts evaporated in the warm words of the song. Steven Curtis Chapman was singing “Fingerprints of God”.
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it’s true
You’re a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you’re covered in the fingerprints of God.
One song on the radio in the middle of my drive. That’s all it took. The music reached out to me, waving spiritual smelling salts in my soul. I found God. It was such a beautiful moment because my mind turned instantly to him like I’d suddenly seen an old friend.
Looking at the ‘big picture’ doesn’t work for me. It’s just too…big. I prefer the smaller places. The tiny moments that capture me and connect me to the divine. Stringing each moment of union like popcorn on a thread, the Lord and I create memory decorations for my tree of life.
I know I stand against the backdrop of a wide and busy world. But it’s the quiet, surprising moments that I revel in. There I see the fingerprints of God.
Linking today with: Kelly at #RaRa Linkup
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
I absolutely loved this post and think soany, including me, relate to the busyness and chaos of lives that dull our eyes when it comes to the Lord. Blessings for sharing!
Noreen
Hi Noreen! Thanks for commiserating with me. I like the image of ‘dull eyes’ too. That’s so true! All the busyness does glaze my vision. I’m so happy that God can blast through and reconnect with me. I depend on it.
Good to see you! Have a restful night,
Ceil
Thanks for visiting my blog! Yes, our church has started doing The Fingerprints Of God. But I did not know there is a song! I will listen to it as soon as I sign out! I like Steven Curtis Chapman. People are pretty good at asking God for things, but not quite as good at having silent time to listen and read His word.
Hi Ginny! It’s a pleasure to meet you today! I think you are really going to like that song. I thought about attaching the youtube video, but decided against it. I hope you get a chance to see and hear it.
You are so right about the talking, but not much time to listen. I know that’s my challenge. Being quiet takes a lot of effort sometimes. But it’s always worth it.
Blessings to you
Ceil
I do my best praying in the car!
Hi Terry! I know there are plenty of times I drive to see KC and never turn the radio on, or listen to a CD. The quiet is heavenly! It normally takes an hour or so to unwind, and then I can pray. I must be wound pretty tight sometimes!
I admire your ability to do pray so well in the car. I hope I get to be like that as time goes on.
Thanks for visiting tonight Terry. Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Oh, Ceil, Fingerprints of God is one of my favorites!!! I cannot begin to tell your how many times we have played that song in our contemporary praise service at church, and it always leaves me uplifted and renewed. What a wonderful thing it is to tell someone else that you see God’s fingerprints all over them!
And finding quiet time can be challenging some days, that’s for sure, but so glad God broke though in that blessed moment for you!
Blessings!
Hi Martha! I’m so glad you’re familiar with this song. It’s an oldie but a goodie for sure. I just love the Speechless album, there are so many great songs on it.
I really do praise Him for breaking through my fog. It really is in the small moments that I see the movement of God the best. I’m so glad He’s there!
Thanks for visiting Martha. Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
I often feel this way. Life is too busy and days fly by. I need to remind myself to be alert and open to seeing that fingerprint of God, because it’s everywhere!
Hi Mari! I totally agree with you. God is everywhere, it’s me that is blind to that all too often. I always hope to better, and I think God honors that. We’ll keep reminding ourselves, okay?
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
AMEN! We turn from Him–HE is always by our side!
Blessings, Friend!
Hi Lulu! So right. He is always by my side. I’m the one that starts darting around, both physically and mentally.
Happy Monday to you my friend
Ceil
Hello Ceil, How are you! I really enjoyed this post! I agree, sometimes the big picture is just too big for me to focus on! Hope you are doing well and enjoying Spring!
Hugs, Roxy
Hi Roxy! How nice to see you again!
I am doing well, still recovering but getting better. This is my last week of PT, then I’m on my own. I’ll have to stay true to the exercises, which can be a struggle. But if I want to get back to walking better, I’d better do them!
I’ll keep my eye out for the small things, right along with you. Happy Spring to you too!
Blessings,
Ceil
Yes, let’s gather those tiny moments like the pearls, the gems they are, my friend. He’s in our every breath, He is God with us.
I’m so grateful He never leaves, doesn’t change like shifting shadows. Always, always present.
Thank you for these lovely thoughts, wrapping the weekend up with a big bow of grace.
Love to you and hugs to start this week off, dear Ceil.
Hi Linda! Thank you for your love and hugs!
The small moments are pearls, aren’t they. If I remember to journal them, they are beautiful bracelets or ornaments for decorating my life. How generous is the Lord!! I like the image in ‘doesn’t change like the shifting shadows’. That’s really descriptive, thank you for that.
Have a great start to the week my friend, love and hugs right back!
Ceil
Vert good thoughts. I see the finger points of God when I walk and see the flower and birds on my walk..trouble is I don’t walk enough, so must start seeing his fingerprints elsewhere?
Hi Freda! I don’t think you would have any trouble at all seeing God in your day. You write so beautifully every day on your blog!
I do favor nature myself though. I love walks in the woods, or even through the city parks. But His work and love are everywhere
Have a great start to the week!
Ceil
So perfectly said, dear Ceil. I can’t tell you how much I needed this post right now! For the last few weeks I have felt so overhwelmed with the busyness of life….
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing. Enjoy your week!
Hi Stephanie! I’m so glad you could use the words here today. I think we all get overwhelmed and busy, it’s just human. Thanks be to God who never gives up, never stops reaching. May I always reach for that grace!
Have a great start to the week!
Ceil
So, so beautiful, Ceil–both in your incredible gift with words, and in the message bursting with hope that we can find God’s fingerprints even on the revolving door of our lives.
Hi Pam! Thank you for your kind words about the post. I’m so glad you enjoyed the message today!
I like that ‘revolving door’ image. I can get so busy in my head that I’m sure those doors are twirling at breakneck speed. It only makes me overwhelmed and unfocused. We are so loved by God that He can overcome even that crazy door
Happy Monday my friend,
Ceil
In the hustle and bustle of life, I think I miss so much of the glimpses of God presences all around me but for me too the car often provides a moment where I can tune in.
Hi Wanda! How nice to see you!
You are not the only one to resonate with the car discoveries. I think it is an enforced quiet time, even if my mind isn’t. God will use anything and everything to get our attention. Phew! I depend on it
Monday blessings,
Ceil
I have found God often uses music to reach my soul. Currently one of the songs has been Almighty by Chris Tomlin as well as Sovereign. One other is “I Am” by Theocracy (a Christian rock group which I’m sure is not your cup of tea). The lyrics are almost 11 minutes of who God is. https://youtu.be/Y4H4j83FikM (you can turn off the sound…LOL) BTW: well said in this post.
Hi Bill! I remember you recommending music before, and you’re right, we are not really on the same page there. But sure can get behind Christian music, and I like Chris Tomlin for sure. It takes all kinds in this world, and it’s what makes us all so fascinating!
Thank you for your kind words about the post today. It means a lot coming from a minister like you.
Monday blessings,
Ceil
“spiritual smelling salts for my soul”. You truly are blessed with the gift of words and thoughts for the paper. The visual that created in my mind and heart was SO uplifting! I knew immediately that I needed those smelling salts to wake me up to His presence in my life! I actually saw God’s fingerprints on a woman yesterday at a church service I was visiting. I didn’t call it that, because I didn’t recall Chapman’s song at the time, but that’s exactly how it felt being near her and sharing that time with her. I’m so glad we are all connected through these “God moments”.
Hi Jeanettie!! Thank you for reading and commenting today
What a blessed moment to meet someone who just oozed the Holy Spirit. Some people just seem to effortlessly shine. I’m sure she was meant for you to find, and for her to meet you too. God is always thinking about our faith, and connections to Him and His people. Don’t you LOVE it??
Monday blessings,
Ceil
Sometimes I think, “why would God want to be in the middle of all this?”. Of course that is the enemy. And when I “search” for Him I find him near. He has never left me even during my chaos. Which seems to be a lot lately and I have recently re-commited my time to spending more time with Him. Great post as always Ceil!
Hi Monica! I’m so sorry that things have been so crazy lately. It’s hard to stay grounded in our experience and in our spiritual life too. I know, believe me.
But it sure sounds like you have your finger on it. The enemy (Satan, the devil) always waits to use anything to make us feel bad. I think dedicating time to spend with God is a perfect antidote. The Spirit is working in you!
God Bless you today my friend,
Ceil
I always had a hard time finding Waldo. My husband and daughter would point him out quickly, and I still couldn’t see him. ha. I’m glad God doesn’t hide from us, but he does keep us on our toes in finding him in different outfits everywhere we go. I’m looking forward to meeting a new friend later this week who is very different from me, but I already know enough about him to know I’ll find God there. Fingerprints of God are everywhere–such a blessing!
Hi Lisa! I think you know you’ll find God in your new friend because you are open to it. That’s really the key, don’t you think? As long as we are willing to receive, God will give us His presence and grace. He never gives up on us.
Enjoy your meeting
It sounds exciting!
Ceil
You are so right – the big picture can seem too big sometimes. But a small quiet moment with Him, can put it all in perspective, can’t it? Nice post. Blessings to you – Marsha
Hi Marsha! It sure is easier for me to see the Lord in the small moments. And knowing that, He is ‘louder’ in those for me. I’m glad you can relate!
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I really appreciate them!
Happy Monday,
Ceil
What a great reminder! I need to find that song and listen to it!
Hi Susannah! I hope you do, it’s on youtube. It’s such a great message too. Steven wrote it for his daughter, he wanted her to know that she was beautiful.
Thanks for dropping by!
Ceil
I love how I just shared similar sentiments with a study group over the weekend. For me it’s those tiny moments too. And I have been praying for Him to help me not miss them because sometimes I’m moving too quick.
I’ve missed your words, friend. It’s good to be back here today.
Much love to you.
xoxo
Hi Beth! I guess our hearts were moving in the same direction! I love that. I know I miss so much, but the thought that He will never give up sending them makes me feel better. I pray for the grace to be more aware too, just like you.
Always great seeing you! And thanks for the blog info too
Ceil
Like you and so many others, I sometimes struggle to see God in the middle of all the chaos. Then there are times, like today, that I’m reminded that God knows where I am and what I need (sometimes using friends). It’s amazing when prayers are answered in a bigger way than we can even anticipate. Likewise, it’s amazing to see God working through you to touch the lives of others.
I have to remind myself, that the gifts I have to use can be as much of a blessing as those who are able to do much more physically demanding chores like yard work, trimming trees, cleaning gutters, painting walls, etc. It’s really not about doing what others do–it’s about doing what you can do to bless others.
By the way, I’m enjoying reading your blog posts. You write very well.
Blessings!
Hi Kim! I’m so glad that you had a day where God’s where you are, with what you need. What a blessing! I do think He works through our friends, family…anyone really.
Be assured that your gifts are valuable and necessary. We all have a role to play with what we have. The body of Christ won’t be complete without you, or work as well for that matter.
Thank you for your kind words Kim. I really appreciate the support. It’s great to be blog-friends
Have a restful night,
Ceil
I too love those tiny moments.
God speaks to us in all sorts of ways… He is amazing.
I have been intentionally “scheduling” additional time with God lately because I’ve been feeling like my compass has been tilting in the overwhelmed direction. It’s astounding how extra time with Him just soothes the soul.
Thanks for sharing my friend.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I remember reading that making specific time for God is always a great strategy. Some say it’s too rigid, but you know what? I don’t think God cares at all. He’s just happy to see you.
I agree with the peace that comes with time spent with the Lord. We are rewarded like crazy for even the smallest movement. Such a tender Father we have…
I did have a good day! Hope you did too
Ceil
Your thoughts, so beautifully written, point to the battle we all face in our daily lives. So much activity screams at us but those quiet moments with the Lord bring everything into focus…and that peace…I’m grateful to connect with my creator.
Hugs,
Mary
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind words Mary. It does seem like the world has a louder voice than God, doesn’t it? I think that’s why the smaller, more intimate moments grab my sleeve and tug hard. I’m so grateful for those times, it does make me peaceful!
Thank you for visiting tonight. Have a restful night,
Ceil
Such beautiful words! And so true! I, like you, prefer to find Him in the small things…the quiet moments…the serenity of nature. I leave here inspired, as usual. God bless you, dear friend.
Hi Cheryl! Thank you for your supportive comments, I really appreciate them. I love being out in nature too…it’s a natural calmer for me.
May we both have glorious moments of union with God today,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! How are you? Hope you leg is getting better?
Amen! Thank God that He never leaves us, not even for a second in both the good and bad times.
It’s great to be reading your post again after a long break. Awesome word and inspiring as ever!
Bless you
Hi Shade!!! It’s great to see you again! Seems like ages since we have connected. I’m so happy I saw you on Twitter
Thank you, my leg is getting better. Last PT session today, and then it’s up to me to keep exercising and waiting for time to heal. I’m not a super-waiter, so this will be a good spiritual practice for me for sure.
Have a wonderful day!
Ceil
I LOVE that song.. it was my favorite as a teen. So uplifting.. I want my daughters hearing it when they grow up!! <3 Great post my friend.
Hi Gingi! How fun that you’ve heard the song before. It’s an oldie but a great message. I hope you’ll play it for your children. I’m sure you already know that Steven wrote it for his daughter.
Thank you for your kind words about the post!
Hope you had a happy Tuesday,
Ceil
Once again, I am nodding my head in spiritual agreement with you, Ceil. Yes, I am distracted, bothered, all in a tizzy lately. Life swirls around me in emotions I can’t keep up with. Too much. And yes, sometimes I find it hard to find God in it all. I know He’s there, I just can’t always sense Him like I want to.
But, you’re right – He has ways of showing Himself in the most wonderful ways – and often they’re in the small touches of His hand. Just this morning, as I was sipping my coffee, I saw a small hummingbird poke his little head just above the bottom of my window. It made me smile. And it made me remember that the Lord is here, in every moment, and loves me so.
Thanks for sharing one of your *small* moments. He’s there, just waiting to be found. I think we just need to stop and look.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! You made me smile with your small hummingbird moment! I really do enjoy those quiet, small times. It seems like I hear the Lord so clearly then.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets so turned around and busy in the head. It’s probably more common than we’ll ever know. I’m willing to work on it, day by day, as I know you are too my friend. We’ll get there
Tuesday blessings to you, and small moments of joy,
Ceil
The fingerprints of God…oh Yes! All around us…all around me. Right here in this message. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction today. Thank you for being God’s messenger. Thank you GOD, for using my friend Ceil today, to help me see YOUR fingerprints all around me. Amen.
Hi Pam! Oh my, what a lovely comment Pam. Thank YOU for being such a support and encouragement to me. And for the prayer especially.
I hope we always see the hand of God in our days…especially those small moments when we see those fingerprints!
Have a peaceful evening
Ceil
i was just reading your profile and we BOTH love James Taylor and Gorgon Lightfoot. I also forgot to tell you how beautiful your header is!
Hi Ginny! Oh my, you do?? Gordon is still touring, can you believe it? I saw him maybe five years ago. I was able to see James Taylor last summer. Heaven!!
Thank you for your kind comment about the header. I love it myself. And the bonus? It’s got a lot of purple, my fav color. Is it yours too?
Twin blessings!
Ceil
I just love it when we are either questioning or poorly focused and just like that, He shows Himself to us when we least expect it, in a way we least expect it! God’s fingerprints are definitely all over the place and I never want to wipe them off! Have a good evening, my friend
Hi Debby! It’s so true. God won’t let us be away from Him very long…He’ll find a way to bring us back, turn our faces to His wonderful light. I like the way you said ‘in a way we least expect it’. That’s how it was with me. Never saw it coming, and LOVED it!
You have a peaceful night too!
Ceil
Ceil – This is so pure and beautiful! Your words captured exactly the joy in finding the small amongst the big, the peaceful amongst the noisy and all the other fingerprint moments which are my favorite too. I love the song from Steven Curtis Chapman nut what I love most about this post is how it made me feel to step away from the worldly messiness and embrace God in the still and small. Thank you for blessing me today. Hugs!
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind comments Mary. I really appreciate them!
I was really so surprised by the way that song hit me, but why should I have been? God wanted me back with Him, and so did I. He just got busy, while I fell into the busyness. Praise Him who won’t even let us fall far. And sends us His love in wonderful ways.
Hugs back to you
Ceil
Where’s Waldo? Where’s God in my clutter? great images! And one of my favorite songs, too. Now you have me humming that tune all evening. LOL
Hi Jean! Don’t you love that Waldo image? It just popped up in my mind when I was writing, and it was perfect! I remember spending time with both of my kids hunting for that silly guy
You could hum worse tunes, right? Such an uplifting and positive message. Hope it makes you smile…
Have a peaceful evening,
Ceil
Ceil,, this was just beautiful. We just bought a new house, some of my family doesn’t even know it yet…and things are swirling in my head. The song might have spoken to you, but your post about that moment spoke to me….
Hi Anita! Congratulations on the new house! That is really stressful though, I can understand why you have so much going on in your head. Lists, paperwork, boxing up…yikes. I’m glad this post spoke a word of comfort to you.
Have a blessed Wednesday,
Ceil
Spiritual smelling salts-love that! We really just have to open our hearts and eyes and there HE is! Great post.
Hi Susan! I liked that too, isn’t it funny what comes when you start writing?
Thank you for your supportive comment, I appreciate it
Have a wonderful Wednesday my friend,
Ceil
Hi Ceil
For me, it’s always the small things that I find God the most, (like my granddaughter just now telling me “thank you Dr. Nanny for taking care of my boo-boo.”
She fell down and scraped her knee on a walk we took.
That just touched my heart so much!
Such an inspiring post!
Hi Dr. Nanny! How cute is that? You took such good care of her, and you know that God was right there using you for her. Beautiful!
I wish I could express myself like you do in your poetry, but I’m glad you could find some inspiration in the post.
Have a great day with your little one
Ceil
love to find God’s presence as I woke in the morning and I try to be aware of His presence where ever I am. It is also wonderful to feel a little touch from God from time to time;)
Hi Joy! I would very much like to see God as you do…from the morning to the evening. I often get mixed up in too much earthly stuff. It is wonderful to feel that touch of God though. And I do seem to find it more easily in the small things.
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Beautifully said, Ceil. I wonderful how people who don’t believe in Jesus explain the wonders and signs of a Creator all around us. Big and small, they are so magnificent, they take my breath away.
Hi Kim! I know what you mean. The wonders of creation are all around us if we’ll only take a minute to see them. What a God we have! I imagine where you live, there are signs of Spring all over the place…such a new beginning. I feel sorry for people who don’t realize who these gifts are for.
Wishing you a great evening,
Ceil
Wonderful, soul touching post for me today! Oh yes, the fingerprints of God! They are EVERYWHERE….I too become so busy at times that I struggle to see them in the midst of my busy life. But when I truly focus on His sweet prints I see Him everywhere…Love this post today. And Yes…I love that song too! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Hi Cindy! I’m so glad you’re familiar with this song. I just love it. His touch is everywhere, how blessed we are to feel them!
I’m glad I’m not the only one to miss the Lords fingerprints in the middle of a crazy day. We’ll keep working on it though, right? We know they’re there…that’s a great start
Have a peaceful night my friend,
Ceil
Great post Ceil. I have long loved that SCC song. When our daughter was struggling once during junior high I had a dream of her singing that song to encourage other young people. It was such an encouragement to me at the time, reminding me that God has His fingerprints all over her life and that He will use what seems like evil and make good from it. While she never did sing it, she lived it out when she got older by teaching a life skills class to junior high girls at church and by her continued coaching of cheerleaders, having them in to her home, responding to their texts and phone calls and her and her husband being an example to them of what real marriage is.
Oh Mindy, that sounds like such a comforting dream. What a connection you have to this music! And to think this little one who gave you fits as a teenager is now such a leader. You must be so proud of her.
We don’t always see them, but the Lord’s fingerprints are there, everywhere that we are. If I could only be more aware… I’ll keep working on it!
Always GREAT to see you
Ceil
Your Where’s Waldo analogy is so eye opening for me, Ceil! I play that game with God far too often. I’m really working on minimizing my distractions these days. It’s awesome how music can connect us so quickly with Him. I love singing along with my son while driving him to school in the mornings. We adore Christian radio stations :).
Hi Candace! Remember those books? I used to go through them with my children. Sometimes life is like those pages!
I do have a special connection to music, and how lovely that you and your son do too. Especially Christian radio! It is so catchy and up lifting. A great way for you both to start the day for sure. Enjoy tomorrow morning, singing along and seeing those Fingerprints of God
Blessings,
Ceil
I need those smelling salt moments more and more often, dear Ceil. Thanks for this lovely post.
Hi Jeanette! Don’t we all. Good thing God is determined to meet us in our days. He’ll keep trying, and I know we’ll keep looking for His presence.
Thank you for your kind comment Jeanette. Have a wonderful evening
Ceil
Ceil: I know what you mean about racing around. I had to slow down several years ago. I find comfort in Psalm 46:10 “Be quiet and know I am God.”
Hi Cecelia! That’s a perfect prayer for this subject. Only in Him is there peace…
Weekend blessings my friend,
Ceil
I happen to love the Where’s Waldo point. Yes, we have to look small and then we see the power of God. When we look big-scale, we tend to get overwhelmed. Thank you for your words of encouragement this morning. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Hi Kelly! It really brings back the memories, doesn’t it? I love the image, it speaks to me of the Lord ‘hiding in plain sight’.
Thank you for visiting
Ceil