Whenever the thought occurs to me, which ideally is at the beginning of the day, I like to be on the alert for evidence of God’s presence. 
You may be asking exactly what that looks like.
An ordinary act of grace (those are never really ordinary, are they?) or a set of circumstances that some call coincidental or even a connection with someone that surprises us both; each one fragrant with the scent of God.
Like meeting the Air Canada flight attendant who went out of her way to put together my gluten-free dinner when the airline missed the order. All good things come from God.
Yes.
Yesterday we saw evidence of it in the British Library as we ventured into the Treasury. There lay the Gutenbug Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus and 4th Century copies of the gospel of Luke. The remarkable thing is that these texts have survived centuries of weather and handling and still provide faithful witness to God’s work and presence among all people.
A visit to London is never complete without an evening at the theatre. Les Miserables is showing, still after 28 years, in the Queens and so we ventured out after dark with throngs of other theatre-goers. The story is one of my favourites and if I ever get foggy on the meaning of grace, I revisit Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo’s timeless narrative. It restores hope in what a single seed of kindness can become in the rich soil of a responsive heart. Evidence of God at work.
St. Valentine is on everyone’s mind today and what better day than this to check out the Royal Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Before we did, a very funny Beefeater insisted on touring us through the gruesome history of the executions that took place not far from there. My direct ancestor, Bishop Nicholas Ridley met his death in a firey blaze while tied to a stake near Traitor’s Gate. His martyrdom is a witness to an unwavering conviction that he worshipped the Living God.
The air has warmed considerably, the sun is shining and the beauty of the natural world is all around us in London’s many parks. Geraniums and cyclamin bloom from window boxes and girls carry single red roses on this day designated in celebration of love. We love because He first loved us…
“Keep your eyes open for God., watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.” Psalm 105
Yes, I will.
