Anyone who knows me knows that I totally believe in signs! God sends us signs every day. It is up to us to look for them and appreciate them.

I see a sign as a nod from above saying, “You’ve got this!” or “Hey, so-and-so up here is looking out for you…” I think God sends us multiple signs and if we aren’t quite listening, he sends them over and over again….sometimes making bigger waves with each new sign until we realize them and process them. Sometimes, we see them hindsight, but at least we see them and can appreciate their messages.

I started today looking for the obvious signs I get from above… but I got none of them. No dragonflies (maybe because of the lack of warm weather!), no cardinal calls, no eagles…and really nothing in my day that stood out to me as a “sign.”

And then I got to church tonight.

Each week we have a speaker share their faith story.

Last week was Hubby’s. I was so bummed we missed it as we were in Chicago for spring break, but I am assured by many that it was great. (Knowing his journey and reading his notes, I know it was.)

This week was a woman whom I only know in passing as we both have kids in Sunday School and we’ve chatted before service occasionally.

I’ve been struggling, grasping, and coming to terms with my faith as of the past several years. As I sit and reflect on the changes we’ve made, the changes I’ve made, and the reflections I have done, I am so completely back on my winding path. I also struggle with putting all of this out there slowly through this Lenten Photo Challenge, but it does help me process my thoughts, reflect on who I want to be, and makes me keep my faith in the forefront of my journey these days. I have come to realize the importance of this in my daily life. I am able to focus on gratitude, process through situations, problem solve, and be my best self that I can be on that particular day.

Is it scary putting all of this out there? Heck ya! But, I feel these entries have helped me connect with people on a deeper level. They have helped me maintain my focus on becoming the person I want to be. They have helped me see that I am not alone in my weird thoughts, reflections or in my prayers.

Enter today’s speaker.

She opened up about her struggles with anxiety and depression. (CHECK!) She grew up Catholic. (CHECK!) She questioned many things in the Catholic religion. (CHECK!) She had a supportive family. (CHECK!) She sought answers that were deeper, held meaning, and made her who she is today. (CHECK! CHECK!)

That’s when I realized, that was my sign.

I didn’t need a traditional dragonfly, eagle, cardinal, or other sign in my life today.

I have been struggling with whether it is OK to share my story. I have been struggling to put myself out there. I have been trying to show my kids how important God is and how important a strong faith is when facing our screwed up society.

This was my sign.

I am doing OK.

My photo today represents the traditional signs I find. Since my mother-in-law’s death, my children and I have always recognized a dragon fly as a sign that Grandma Miriam is around and telling us something. Punky was almost 2 when we lost her 12 years ago. Dragonflies always appear above home plate at his baseball games. They’ve been spotted at Kirby’s games too, even though he never met her. Dragonflies land on my chair at family gatherings. Dragonflies say hi when we are out in the backyard playing…just like Grandma Miriam did when she was still with us physically.

This photo was taken at a family graduation party. I took it. Just a little dragonfly saying hi and telling us she’s OK and still watching us.

The obvious signs are important in life. But make sure to pick up on those inconspicuous ones that are lurking to grab you when you least expect it. God is amazing and showing us our path. We just need to see the signs and keep going forward… in God’s love.