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“God Wink!” is a commonly used phrase in the Theisen household (My mom has funny little phrases she uses, and this is one of the rare occasions that one of them stuck.) A “God Wink” occurs
when something happens and in hindsight, you’re left with the feeling that somehow God got involved and made it happen. Over the summer I had my own “God Wink” moments.
Ever since I was in eighth grade, I wanted to be a dentist. My Grandpa Joe was a highly accomplished dentist in the Eau Claire area for over forty years and watching him made me want to follow in his footsteps. But admittedly, after my freshman year of college, I began to have some doubts about dentistry. I knew it was a great profession, but when asked why I wanted to do be a dentist, I didn’t feel I had a good answer. As I prepared for my sophomore year, I was totally stressing about what classes to take. I think I changed my schedule around five times in three months
and had multiple, hour-long phone conversations with my college advisor.
One day, I said a prayer asking God to help me figure out what he wanted me to do with my life. Then, I kind of just left things in God’s hands for a bit. I felt pressure release, and my daily life felt better.
In early June, I shared coffee and catch up with a friend who is still in high school. She was in the midst of finals. I felt her stress. She wasn’t her normal lively self. I gently asked how she was. The ACT and college applications, final exams and a summer job, and personal stuff and tears came pouring out. I didn’t say much, but listened and validated her emotions. Later that night she texted me and told me that our conversation had helped her feel better. I did not think I had done anything but just let her talk. But I felt good that my listening had helped her… “God Wink!” number one.
I have been open about my personal mental health journey. On those days when I was really struggling–I still have days–I came to believe that I was the only one. Nobody else seemed to talk about anxiety or depression and so I closed down even more. In the midst of that “not the best time of my life,” I somehow came up with the notion of sharing my story. (Not really sure why that made sense at the time?). After talking to a counselor, and my parents, I made things a little more public in this column. And almost suddenly, I started hearing from other people who did not want to go at it alone, and did not want to close down even more. They wanted to talk. So somehow, by opening up myself, I not only avoided closing down, I also inspired other people to open up. Together, we turned the energy around and other people’s openness helped me open up even more. None of us are alone… “God Wink!” number two.
About this time, I had one of my hour-long phone calls with my college counselor and we were trying to figure out how I would fit in a class I needed for pre-dentistry. The class fit my schedule, but inside I was realizing that pre-dentistry might not fit me. I heard the doorbell ring. A man was at our door. I had never met him before, but he was a long time friend of my family. He had a big smile on his face. “Hi Grace,” he said, “thank you for being so honest in your columns.” He went on to say how much of an impact I have made and that I was filling a need. He left me with, “You are my Hero.” Only moments before, I had been struggling to figure out my purpose in life–and now this. “God Wink!” number three.
After evaluating all my “God winks,” I started thinking about the possibility of working in a field with mental health. I am feeling that I get energy when I speak about my story and that this act
helps people. I truly believe that God works through people and things to get his messages across to us, so keep an eye out for “God winks.” They are all around!
