An unexpected sign of God’s love

A pull quote from DaySpring contributing writer Robin Dance that reads,

For years at my annual check-up, my doctor has urged me to get moving. She was less concerned about what I did, as long as I did something. 

I was aware I teetered between osteopenia and outright osteoporosis, so weight-bearing exercise was important to my future wellbeing. Plus, my post-menopausal body kept changing in the rudest of ways. Age-related symptoms kept stacking up. I struggled with joint pain, back and body aches, and record-breaking numbers on the scale despite eating clean. 

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It wasn’t like I was a stranger to exercise.  

Not so long ago, I had attended a ladies’ bootcamp at 5:30 in the morning. In my early 50s, I found myself in the best shape of my life. But when I returned to a full-time, traditional, nine-to-five job after a 28-year “leave” to raise our children, something had to give time-wise. Consistent exercise had dwindled well before my doctor began to express concern. 

Then, six months ago a friend inspired me to try a reformer Pilates class.  

The movements and terminology were foreign to me, but from the outset I noticed how good I felt. I signed up for two classes per week following my introductory class, and by the next month, I converted my membership to unlimited classes. In the past, I was committed to that early-morning bootcamp because it was good for me; but with this new discipline, I actually looked forward to each session.   

My bathroom scale has been a bit kinder to me, too. And, more icing on the cake? Family and friends have even mentioned my progress, just like I had noticed my friend’s.  

Last week I reached my 100th class. The staff at my studio makes a big deal of milestones, and when I arrived, a fun sign with colorful tulips greeted me: “Robin’s BLOSSOMED into a Pilates Pro – 100 classes.”  

A simple tradition’s profound impact  

Initially, the sign’s significance was lost on me until Christina, my favorite instructor, explained: 

“We try to make the signs personal to the person. Your green purse looks like a tulip, and we thought it would be fun to incorporate that image into your sign!” I hadn’t realized that all those milestone signs I had been seeing for months were decorated in a way that honored each member in a very specific and personal way.  

Months earlier, our studio’s team had commented on how cute my new bag was the first time I came in with it. I genuinely appreciated that they, like me, noticed the purse looked like a tulip.  

Fast forward to last week; I knew it was my 100th class and that a sign would be awaiting me in celebration of the milestone. What I hadn’t anticipated was that a simple tradition would fill my heart and make me feel seen and known.  

But, even more than that, the sign was a sweet little Godwink, one of those tender moments when I sense the presence of a heavenly Father who expresses his love for me by reminding me, when I least expect it, that I am seen and known.  

We long to be known.  

Isn’t this what our hearts long for: not to be just recognized, but truly known? To have someone notice the little things about us, remember what matters to us and see beyond what everyone else sees.  

Have you ever felt overlooked, forgotten or even invisible? I have. At times I’ve wondered if anyone noticed or cared about the small sacrifices, the silent struggles or the painful circumstances I carried. Thankfully, Psalm 139: 1-4, 7 (ESV) reminds us that we are never unknown to God:  

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether…. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

The way God knows us isn’t clinical or detached. It’s intimate and personal.  

Jesus told His disciples that even the hairs on their heads are numbered (Matthew 10:30 ESV). If God cares about something as seemingly insignificant as that, how much more does He care about the details that matter deeply to us? 

Sometimes a small gesture can remind us of God’s great love.  

I’m convinced this is why the tulips on my Pilates sign meant so much to me. Someone had noticed something small about me and remembered it. In doing so, their gesture reminded me that God does the same, only infinitely more. 

Jesus sees the parts of us that others miss. What a gift! He knows the stories behind our smiles, the prayers for which we have no words and the hopes we’re afraid to express. He knows us completely and, miraculously, still loves us beyond comprehension. 

We are always worthy of God’s attention.  

There is no version of ourselves we need to become before we are worthy of God’s attention. We don’t have to attend 100 Pilates classes, reach a certain number on the scale, check every box or get our lives perfectly together to be noticed by God. 

We are seen, known and loved already. 

And sometimes, in the middle of an ordinary Tuesday—or even standing in front of a sign dotted in tulips—God gives us a little reminder of that beautiful truth.

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Robin Dance.

Robin Dance is the author of "For All Who Wander." As Southern as sugar-shocked tea, she is married to her college sweetheart and has three children. An empty nester with a full life, she's determined to age with grace and to celebrate the beauty and magic of today. Find her work at http://www.robindance.me.