I’m about to tell you a story.  But first you’ve got to know the back story.

I’m always looking for ways to connect with God.  Things I can do to deepen my faith.  So I decided to try an experiment. 

I’m not a huge nature girl, but I thought, What if I choose something in nature that I don’t see often, so that when I do, I can remember to thank God that he cares for my every need?  Something that only he and I know about?

Then I was reminded of Matthew 6:26, which says:

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

So I settled on a little bird. 

And because it was something just between God and me, I called it my Secret Sign.

I found it to be a tremendous faith booster, as each time I would see one of these little creatures, I would purposefully pause and thank God for his love and care for me. 

Shortly after I started this practice, I began to see little butterflies flitting across my path.  This occurred almost daily as I would walk into work. 

As I took notice of this, I began to thank God for the butterflies also.

And then I noticed something. The more I thanked him, the more butterflies I began to see. 

I began to take delight in this everyday occurrence.  It was as if God enjoyed my delight and surprise and was reciprocating my secret sign with one of his own.  His way of saying, “Child, I see you, and I am HERE.”

As this continued to lift my faith, I began to ask God if I should share this with all of you. 

I wasn’t quite sure, as I know some may think I’m over-spiritualizing an everyday occurrence. 

Some might think I’ve lost my ever-loving mind. 

But I hoped that some would know and recognize that God can speak in any way he chooses, and why couldn’t he use nature to do that very thing?

As I sat with God one morning asking about this, I left for work – the should I share it question still circling in my head. 

As I began my drive, I saw a single yellow butterfly. 

Thank you, Jesus!  I see you.

I turned onto a major street, and then I saw another.  Curious.  I haven’t seen one here before. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your care for me.

And then I saw another, and then another, and then another. And then ANOTHER.  Little yellow butterflies flying up and over my car. 

They appeared every few seconds I drove on my my three mile commute – a parade of butterflies, seemingly just for me. 

Nearly every one of them yellow.

At first it was a sweet reminder and a, Thank you Jesus, then it became an, Oh my goodness, Lord, what are you trying to show me? 

Finally it was just sheer delight, mouth gaping open, eyes wide, and a clear revelation of his Heavenly YES – that indeed I should tell you about the secret sign.

That’s how our God moves.  He wants us to notice him, to look for him.  And when we open our eyes to see, he shows up. 

He is full of delightful surprises that remind a heart that he is alive and real and very, very present.

You don’t have to believe in my secret sign approach.  You can think I’ve claimed a coincidence as a personal gift for me. 

But it really doesn’t matter, because what I saw built my faith.  God-gift or coincidence, if it moves my heart in the Savior’s direction, that’s all that really matters. 

After all, doesn’t he call us to a childlike faith?  If so, why could I not delight in these little yellow butterflies?

Jeremiah 29:13 says this:

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

We are encouraged to look for Jesus.  To find him throughout our day. 

To trust that he will be there in both the miraculous and the mundane.

Is the secret sign approach for you?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But what IS for you is his desire that you see him actively at work in your life.

He’s a big God who does things with purpose and intention, with love and devotion.  He desires deep relationship with each of us, and I believe he takes special pleasure in doing things for us when we purposefully seek him out.

So let me encourage you to look for him in your daily.  To actively seek his presence. 

Ask God to help you recognize him when he makes an appearance, and make it a habit to thank him for things both big and small. 

You may see him in an answered prayer, a divine appointment, or a subtle reminder.

Or perhaps, like me, you will see him through your own secret sign.