Yesterday (July 22nd) was my 55th birthday. It was the first birthday I would not hear my Daddy’s voice wishing me a “Happy Birthday.”
As I’ve shared before, I use a rotating wallpaper on my phone. It used to display a different picture each day—until my Daddy passed away last year. After his passing, his photo was the only one that appeared for 10 days leading up to and following his celebration of life (except for the one time my sweet dog Spanky showed up—he’s in heaven too). [I personally believe Spanky was confirming that he was with Daddy and they were both good.] Now, Daddy’s picture pops up at least once a day, if not more.
But yesterday… I hadn’t seen his picture all day.
Around 8:20 PM, I went inside to have cake and champagne with my two sister-housemates, Mary and Adele. As I walked into the house, my Daddy's picture popped up on my phone.
Now let me set the scene.
There were five overhead lights on in the house:
· the living room,
· the breakfast area,
· the sink/countertop space,
· the kitchen, and
· the dining room.
The three of us were gathered in the breakfast area, which looks directly through the kitchen into the dining room. I showed Mary and Adele the picture that had just popped up and said, “Daddy’s saying ‘Happy Birthday!’”
Just then—the dining room light flickered off, then came back on.
Adele said, “Yep! He’s here alright. He loves to flash the lights.” Mary added, “Yes, I’ve witnessed that myself.” I said, “Thank you, Daddy, for being here.”
We lit the candles—just two number 5s, not 55 individual ones (LOL). I made a wish and blew them out. But we didn’t sing “Happy Birthday.”
Then, something extraordinary happened.
The dining room light—and only the dining room light—began flashing. The three of us sat there, stunned, just watching.
Suddenly, I noticed there was a rhythm to the flashing. It wasn’t random—it was deliberate. The light was blinking in sync with the cadence of the “Happy Birthday” song.
Now typically, people sing four rounds of the song, but I didn’t catch on until about the third. I confirmed it with Adele and Mary on the fourth round. So… my Daddy “sang” it again.
“Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, Renee!
Happy birthday to you!”
Eight rhythmic rounds of flashing.
Then, just like that—the dining room light turned off completely. And my daddy’s photo disappeared… replaced by none other than—right—Spanky.
We were speechless.
Finally, I asked, “Did y’all see what I just saw?” Both Mary and Adele said yes. Mary added, “I wish I had recorded it, but I was just too shocked to do anything but watch.” I immediately thought, “That would’ve been great—because no one’s going to believe this.”
As I reflected more on that desire to be believed, however, God reminded me of this week’s Bible study lesson. James 4:3 says:
“When you ask for things, you do not receive them because you ask for the wrong reasons, wanting to satisfy your own selfish desires.” (FNVNT)
That divine nugget was for me—for my peace. Whether anyone else believed me or not, it was real. I had all the confirmation I needed in the two people who witnessed it with me.
And had we tried to record it, who knows? The experience might have ended abruptly. This wasn’t meant to be evidence to prove a case. It was a sacred gift. I am deeply humbled by God’s grace and my Daddy’s love—a love that transcends the burden of proof.
I always knew my Daddy would quickly figure out the “system” of how to communicate from the other side. He was a genius! When he was alive, he made sure I knew how deeply he loved me. And from heaven, he continues to affirm it in unmistakable ways.
There is nothing like a father’s love—earthly or spiritual.
To me, this moment was more than just a birthday greeting. It was divine reassurance. My earthly father’s love and my Heavenly Father’s love intertwined, affirming what Scripture tells us so clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:8, “Love never ends.” (CSB)
I believe that with my whole heart to the depths of my soul.
