Miracle Moments & God Winks: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives

As pastors’ wives, we have a front row seat to watch God move in the hearts and lives of the people God has brought into our circle of influence. At the same time, because we are on the front line, we often function as a buffer or the outer layer—absorbing heartbreak, grief, and the weight of others’ struggles. In the midst of navigating from one ministry crisis to another, it’s easy to keep going without ever pausing to reflect on the small, sacred moments happening all around us.

Yet Scripture gently reminds us:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Stillness allows us to recognize what busyness often causes us to miss.

The Unexpected Calling

When my husband and I first entered ministry over 25 years ago, I had no idea what we were stepping into. My husband felt called to preach, but I wasn’t quite sure what that meant for me. I didn’t grow up in a ministry family, and I certainly didn’t marry a pastor—my husband was a police officer when God called him into ministry. So you can imagine my surprise when that conversation happened!

As we chose to follow the Lord’s calling, God gently reminded me of my role: I was called to be a wife and a mother. My husband was the pastor, and I was his wife.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

Even when I didn’t understand the path, I could trust the One who was leading.

Letting Go of Expectations

From observing other pastors’ wives, I thought I had to fit a certain mold—dress a certain way, quote Scripture effortlessly, spend hours in prayer, coordinate weddings, and maybe even play the piano at a moment’s notice. It felt overwhelming.

But God never asked me to be anyone else—only to be faithful in who He created me to be.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”— 2 Corinthians 12:9

It wasn’t about perfection. It was about dependence.

To dig deeper into EXPECTATIONS, we have some great FREE resources: an article and an activity for you to explore how you deal with expectations. You’ll find both resources at the bottom of this page.

The Lean Years & Lasting Faith

Those early years in ministry have some common themes—the tight finances, the seasons of Bible college or seminary, the newness of everything and my own cluelessness in most of it. We experienced the excitement of seeking God’s direction and the anticipation of what He would do next.

With a six-month-old baby in tow and Christmas just around the corner, we moved two states away into a one-room apartment. We were excited, scared, and at times, very lonely. But even there, God was already at work.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19

Not some needs. Not most needs. All needs.

God Winks & Miracle Moments

As if the Lord saw every uncertainty in our hearts, He began to provide in ways that could only be described as God winks and miracle moments.

I think of God winks as those occurrences of provision or affirmations that make you stop and say, “That was God.”

I think of miracle moments as experiences at just the right moment, timed perfectly, and so beautifully orchestrated that only God could have done it.

Learning to Remember

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.” — Psalm 77:11

The turning point in this Psalm isn’t a change in circumstances—it’s a decision to remember. It wasn’t that God had stopped working. It was that I had stopped noticing. And God gently impressed this on my heart:

You don’t need more miracles, you need to remember the ones I’ve already done.

If we’re going to endure in ministry, we have to be intentional. I began to see a simple pattern:

Stop. Notice. Remember. Call it out.

Stop — Slow down long enough to see God at work. “Be still…” — Psalm 46:10
Notice — Recognize that His provision is often quiet but constant. “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” — James 1:17
Remember — Rehearse His faithfulness, especially in hard seasons. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord…” — Psalm 77:11
Call it out — Say it, write it, share it. “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…” — Psalm 107:2

This is why I started journaling these God winks and miracle moments—those unmistakable situations when God shows up in personal, timely ways. Because if you don’t write them down, you will forget. And when you forget, discouragement gets louder than truth.

MY LIST OF GOD WINKS AND MIRACLE MOMENTS

Here are just a few of those God winks and miracle moments I pulled from my journal, written during our early years of ministry:

Just 20 minutes after we unloaded boxes from the U-haul, moving across two states to attend seminary, there was a knock on the door of our one bedroom apartment. A sweet lady stood there with groceries, a welcome note, and $20. Physical needs met, and a timely affirmation.
Finding name-brand shoes on clearance for $2.99 – just when our son has blisters on his feet from the shoes he had outgrown.
A pair of diamond earrings gifted unexpectedly by a friend.
Provision through yard sales and thrift store finds—God using even the simplest things.
Walking into the business office to pay for seminary classes, only to discover it had already been paid by an anonymous donor.
Cash arriving anonymously in an unmarked envelope.
Christmas and birthday gifts for our children from loving “grandparents” in the church.
Wanting swimming lessons for our kids but having no means—then having a certified scuba diver in our church offer to teach them without even being asked.
Gentle reminders of a loved one who has passed away—like a starfish appearing on a significant day.

These moments became anchors for my faith. I began journaling them from the very beginning. In seasons of discouragement, I would return to them and remember.

Holding On to Faithfulness

Looking back, I can clearly see that God was never absent—not in the hard seasons, not in the uncertain ones, not even in the quiet ones. He was present in every detail.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes His provision came in big, undeniable ways. Other times, it came in small, tender whispers. Both matter. Both are miracles.

A Gentle Reminder

Those are the moments that sustain you in ministry. Those are the moments that carry you through the hard days. Those are the moments that remind you:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

The same God who was faithful then… is still faithful now.

A Question to Reflect On

So I’ll leave you with this: Where have you seen “God Winks” in your life? Take a moment. Write them down.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1

Because one day, you’ll need the reminder. And when you do, those miracle moments will whisper back to you: God was there. God is here. And God will always be faithful.