Friday, November 18, 2011

God and the Paperclips

I saw God today in a paperclip.

No, I am not crazy, well, my kids might think I am, but I’m not, really. I do have this crazy-wonderful thing going on right now with paperclips.

It started in the summer. On my daily walks, I began to notice paperclips on the ground. I’d pick one up, put it in my pocket and continue on my way. After a few weeks, I reached into my jean pocket and was amazed that it was loaded with paperclips.

Suddenly, I was finding them all over the place—on the blacktop when I stepped out of my car, on dirt paths going to the beach, by my feet at conference in Las Vegas (where literally thousands of people had walked right over it).

What was going on?

My son finally asked me to stop gasping and pointing at paperclips on the ground every time we went anywhere because it was really freaking him out.

I told my friend, Cyndi, about this phenomenon and she said, “Usually when the universe is throwing things at you like that it means you are supposed to pay attention.”

It had my attention. But what did it MEAN?

“What does a paperclip signify to YOU?” Cyndi asked.

I thought about it. Maybe it meant that I was supposed to get organized. In my day-job, clips hold papers together in a tight, neat way. Taking it as a sign that I was not organized enough, I cleaned the house, the car, my closet, and my own stack of paperwork.

But that wasn’t the answer.

The paperclips didn’t stop appearing. Nearly every day I found one, sometimes two, all sizes and colors. They showed up on weekends, weekdays, at night, in the morning, in the pharmacy line at Rite Aid when I was getting medicine for sick kids, in the waiting room while I waited to be called in for my mammogram, on sidewalks, at the base of trees, stuck in the dirt.

My friend, Tina, read up on what paperclips signify in dreams. That was good, but I wasn’t dreaming. I was awake and in awe, but I was no closer to an answer.

Until today.

I prayed in the car this morning asking for strength. I was driving to a big work meeting in which I had to present bad news, difficult information, and be prepared for any questions that the thirty people in the group might ask of me. Moments before the meeting began (warning: a TMI statement is coming, so if you are at all a bit squeamish you might want to cover your ears and hum for the next bit) I realized my p-e-r-i-o-d had arrived early. Dear God, I wasn’t prepared for this! What a time for it. I raced out of the room to take care of matters.

You can stop humming now because this part is important.

What did I see on the ramp to the portable-potty? You guessed it, a shiny, warm from the sun, paperclip. I carried it in my hand and placed it on the table in front of me as the meeting began. It was a tough one, but I was prepared and all went well.

In the car on the way home, I used my author techniques to brainstorm ideas about the paperclip. What does it look like? It flows in a circular design like the infinity sign—never-ending. It is shiny (if metallic) or colorful and bright. What does it do? It holds things together and doesn’t let go.

Here comes the epiphany…The paperclips aren't from some wacky accountants who just happen to be ten feet ahead of me dropping paperclips everywhere I go. No.

They are from God.

When I walk, I pray. I tell God how beautiful the trees are, the sky, the hills...I thank him for the day, the sun on my back, the cool air on my face... Basically, we chat (silently and all one-sided on my part). I know He’s there, but maybe, He wanted to give me a little something to carry with me as I walk with Him. A love token to keep in my hand, or my pocket, that flows in a never-ending design (like infinity). It’s a shiny and/or colorful token, so that I don’t miss it on the ground. And it fits neatly in my hand.

When I was having my freak-out this morning about the meeting, He threw another sparkly warm sign at my feet to remind me that He is always there. Holding me together. Loving me forever.

And if I had any doubts about His message, they went away once I turned on the car radio. The DJ played George Straight’s beautiful song, “I Saw God Today.” The message was loud and clear.

Mr. Straight tells us that God’s fingerprints are everywhere. Perhaps, we need to look a little harder to see them.

Have you had any signs lately?

24 comments:

Cyn said...

I am totally impressed! What a wonderful and personal message. It is what the clips mean to you and they hold a better story than many of us would have been able to interpret. I am happy for you, envious of you, and am going to learn from you. I'm looking for my own messages now piggybacking on your faith. Thank you, Kim, for opening my eyes.

Kimberley Troutte said...

May you find many beautiful, personal, loving messages. Thanks for all your help, Cyn. You're the best!

C.C. Wiley said...

You're an inspiration to us all.
There are times I'd like to have a sign as intriguing as your paperclip. For me, it's been one word that wraps around my brain. Trust. Okay, sometimes it's a whisper and sometimes it's in a song or a phrase, a single word, and when I'm really dense, I swear my ears are ringing with the word. Trust. For me, that can be a daunting challenge.

I realize the importance of being in the right place at the right time to receive God's blessings. It's an important part of my daily prayers. However, recently -after reading your post- I realized there was a very important aspect that I'd been missing. I might be at the right place physically, but it is also important to be in the right place emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Giving thanks puts us where we need to be.

And I give thanks that you are here to remind me to be grateful for all the blessings in my life, no matter how big or how small. And yes, I am trusting that all is well.
~Hugs~

Kimberley Troutte said...

Ah, C.C, I think you hit the nail on the head. Being in the right place to receive what you need may be what you need the most.
Trust can be a scary concept. We want to fix things, force outselves through the brambles, race forward into the light. But sometimes, we simply can't. Those brambles are to thick, too strong. We're caught in a place with seemingly no way out.
You have been given a powerful word--trust.
Dare to believe it. Let go and trust that God will catch you. The light is just around the corner.
I too trust that all will be well.
hugs back at ya!

bellabuddy said...

Hi,just finished reading your article on "finding paper clips everywhere". Same thing has been happening to me,just today I was @my future daughter -in-laws,outside when I picked up a Blue paperclip again. I commented on finding them all the time & my research lead me to your article.Thank You very much.

Unknown said...

Glad I could offer some help, bellabuddy.

Denise said...

Hi Kimberley,
I ironically have had the same thing happen to me. I have had paper clips show up in the oddest of places and some not so odd but in such a way that I cannot excuse it as a "normal" thing. There have been so many and I too have been wondering exactly what they mean and what God may be trying to show me. I also have thought about the paper clip and its shape and what it is used for and all I can come up with is that it is used to hold things together and maybe that is what God is trying to say to me. Maybe I am the person to hold our family or people together. I don't really know but I do find it strange that I am always finding paperclips everywhere I turn. I can only hope that one day I will know the true meaning.
I am so glad I found this site and to know that there is someone else that has had the same thing happen to them. Makes me not feel so crazy.
Thanks for posting.
Well wishes,
Denise

Unknown said...

Beautiful article and I'm glad I found it! I started finding dimes everywhere, I just went to my bacherlette party in Leavenworth and happened to walk into a bar with a dime sitting right on the table we all agreed to sit at. It's been a few months but now I have noticed paperclips! I have found 3 in the last week. I have Googled the dimes and the meaning behind finding them and that was a sign from a loved one watching over you. So now I googled finding paperclips and i found your article! I think that it still is a sign from a loved one watching over us. Such a special thing we share and how lucky are we to have those people watching over us!

Unknown said...

Beautiful article and I'm glad I found it! I started finding dimes everywhere, I just went to my bacherlette party in Leavenworth and happened to walk into a bar with a dime sitting right on the table we all agreed to sit at. It's been a few months but now I have noticed paperclips! I have found 3 in the last week. I have Googled the dimes and the meaning behind finding them and that was a sign from a loved one watching over you. So now I googled finding paperclips and i found your article! I think that it still is a sign from a loved one watching over us. Such a special thing we share and how lucky are we to have those people watching over us!

Unknown said...

I have been finding paperclips also...I knew it was a message from either God or a loved one who has passed. I receive messages and signs all the time but the paperclips had me baffled..I decide to look into it further tonight and found your article. Thank you

bellabuddy said...

Thank You for the Great Message! Same thing has been happening with me. My 5 month old granddaughter had Open Heart Surgery on Wed.Sept.21,2016,was very worried prior & after the surgery. Tues. I started finding paper clips again & every day since I still find @ least 1 every day. This had occurred previously in stressful times & I would say to my children,it must be a sign from God,not sure what they made of my explanation but as back then & now I truly believe in the great meaning of finding them.I had to choke down tears the day we were leaving the hospital,as my daughter & I were going down the stairs I found another big yellow paper clip on one of the stairs & have found them since. How amazing is this !!

Unknown said...

This article is so sweet! I have been finding paperclips EVERYwhere for about 4 months now. It will trail off for a while & now I get a premonition of when I will find the next one. They really started to freak me out! Always finding them before/after a emotional event with a loved one- when I have to help them hold things together- sometimes issues with their health. This started for me the day after I saw a YouTube video about perspective and a paperclip. A little girl was happy to receive a paperclip and grateful. So I help my loved ones see their tricky health situations from a positive perspective. I do think it could be a sign from God or any of his many angels; Watching over me, telling me everything will be alright. Helping me hold things together when sometimes I don't think I can muster the courage. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Wooow wow!! Same here! I have also seen many paperclips everywhere and also saw that video of the little girl❤️

Lady Liberty said...

What a wonderful experience and I’m so glad that I found your blog. It’s been an extra challenging couple of years and I have been trying to figure out the meaning of my finding a single large paper clip in most unlikely of places. Like you, it happens when I’m being grateful or feel like I’m so close to God, and praying. It’s all been large paper clips and one odd color - black. Thank you for sharing!

Jannette said...

Wow!!!!!’ Thank you so much!!!!!! Not sure if you will see this but i honestly thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! I so needed this... i too have been finding paper clips for a few months, always said to myself to look it up and i finally did today. I was recently fired, and I’ve saud from day one that it was kne of my greatest blessings and that God didn’t want me working in that hell, no money in the world would be worth the price you pay for working with mean and selfish people. I knew I didn’t belong there but kept staying for the pay. Anyhow, this is not about me. Thank you so very much!!!!!!! I hope you see this.
Jannette

Unknown said...

I am now going through the same thing!! I see paper clips everywhere and now seeking answers!! some type of spiritual answers...I will keep seeking answers and want GOD To know that I do love his creation in every way!! GOD speaks clearly with everyday I wake up and look into the heavens and at night into the star filled sky!
I will never put GOD in a box!! Most certain GOD has may galaxies full of many types of dimensions that are screaming with life!!
I just pray that we are both correct about positive messages from GOD!! and not just creating our own thoughts??? We may be getting a sign to HOLD things together as a major trial or tribulation is coming ???

Unknown said...

Every since my mama has passed been a month now i am finding paper clips everywhere i think she throws them at me to get my attention. On her birthday i kissed her picture took my shower went back to dress then right there where i couldnt miss it was a paperclip i just love finding them because it has been a struggle every since she passed its so hard but finding them gives me comfort

Unknown said...

Every since my mama has passed been a month now i am finding paper clips everywhere i think she throws them at me to get my attention. On her birthday i kissed her picture took my shower went back to dress then right there where i couldnt miss it was a paperclip i just love finding them because it has been a struggle every since she passed its so hard but finding them gives me comfort

Unknown said...

This morning, I finally did a google search on finding paperclips. It has been happening so often, in the last 4-5 weeks, that it was starting to freak me out. This blog has made me feel so much better. I told no one cause I thought I was crazy. I will start looking up and seeing if this is a message from God. I have lost a good amount of family in the last 2 years, so I'm hoping this is a sign from them. Thank you! Judi

George said...

Happening to me too. Don't what it means but it means something. Raises more questions than answers.

Kim S. said...

Love them!! Thank you for your post!!!! My family thought I was silly until so many years...lol

Unknown said...

Amazing! I was thinking about how to resolve this paperclips that I find everywhere even with my favorite colors purple Nd gold in ts form of Diamond shapes. Inded its msg from God to encourage us to believe in our capacities depending of our thoughtd in that moment when we interpel the paperclips: love, finance, hsalth, new professional project.... that sas my outcome in my experiences with paperclips, pennies, feathers,synchronicy of numbers,shapes in clouds etc pay attention. 🔮

Cecilia said...

It has been 2 years since my mom has passed. Its still so very hard for me and i am still having a hard time accepting the fact that shes gone. From the time she passed i have been finding paper clips everywhere and usually its when i am thinking about her. I find them at grocery stores. Post office restaurants even hobby lobby usually its in the parking lot. I know that my moms angels are placing them for me to find because when i do find them its very comforting to me. When i find them i just pick them up put them in my pocket look up and smile. I just love finding them.

Cecilia said...

Well here it is October of 2022 and you guessed it the paper Clips have not stopped. They keep appearing everywhere I go and when I do keep finding them it's always unexpected. I find them alot in parking lots even parking garages. It always seems that I find them if I am going through procedures like a hip replacement, back surgery. It always seems like that God is telling me hey we got this. I love it and I know my mom has something to do with this as well we really had a great connection especially when I was going through and helping her with her chemotherapy treatments. I know in my heart she is always with me since her passing in May of 2019. You know I just can't tell everyone how many paperclips I find except for my brother even he is with me when I find them we will be walking somewhere and I just stop he knows it's a paper clip. If anyone else is experiencing this please reply. I love finding them I just feel so comforted when I do.