Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God

by Deanna Nowadnick

SIGNS IN LIFE begins with a late night encounter with law enforcement. In the harsh glare of a flashlight, author DEANNA NOWADNICK learns the consequences of speeding through a stop sign. Other incidents follow. All are linked to the divine signs she's encountered in that bigger journey through life.

Join Deanna as she shares humorous anecdotes and inspirational lessons from her travels with God. See the signs in life. She might be speeding through a stop sign--yet again!--while you're carefully navigating a busy street, but together we're all part of a bigger journey, a greater purpose. We're all part of God's great story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2015

About the author

Deanna Nowadnick is an author and speaker. She loves helping women of faith connect our delightfully ordinary stories to God's extraordinary love and faithfulness, so we can be encouraged and empowered, knowing God's been in the details--always has been, author will be.

Deanna has written three books: Fruit of My Spirit, Signs in Life, and a 30-day devotional, Bouquet of Wisdom. She has also written two children's books: Grandma, You Found Me! and Grandma, I Did It!

Deanna and her husband Kurt live in Monroe, Washington.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully presented and nicely based in the Bible, Doeanna Nowadnick’s Signs in Life invites readers into her life story, shows how traffic signs relate to everyday living, and offers a wonderful guide to hearing and heeding God’s guidance. Well-chosen Bible passages (from Exodus) introduce each section. Very human photographs invite the reader to make friends with the author’s voice. And the signs...

Stop signs are important—they save lives—but we’re all careless drivers sometimes, mouthing “Oops, sorry!” and glad to have been kept safe. Life signs matter too, when friends see we’re falling apart and show us the way. And Bible signs help—not just the Ten Commandments, but the history of obedience and disobedience, of danger and consequence, and of freedom and hope. It’s a history well-told in Exodus.

“Facing the Red Sea, Moses had stopped and trusted in God for direction. Facing my own Red Sea of career choices, I plunged in,” says the author, each story segueing from driving, to personal life, to faith, to a rest area’s questions. “God’s able to work with our imperfections,” and the author’s life offers signs to readers, where we can see His work on our own path.

I love the author’s natural, never-preachy voice, her gentle (sometimes even laugh-out-loud) humor, and the way these stories flow, as if I’m sitting at table with a friend. Did that really happen? And did you...? There are surprises, and deep revelations. There’s advice quoted from many sources. And then there are the questions, which make it all personal. Of course, I also love the book of Exodus. And...

Deanna, I will cling to the picture of you at the bookstore, and I too will pray, “Please help me to get out of the way and let You lead.” Perhaps that’s the sign of a really good inspirational book—it’s sunk into my heart.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.

[Juan Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deanna writes with the kind of honesty that invites you to drop your guard and reflect on your own experiences. Our book club had some of our most heartfelt discussions after reading this. We laughed about the driving stories, but we also shared about moments when we had ignored warning signs in our own lives whether in relationships, jobs, or personal struggles. Her book reminded us that God uses all of those experiences to guide us. Several of us left our meeting saying we wanted to pass the book along to our daughters, sisters, or friends. It’s the kind of read that keeps giving.

[Deborah G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When our club chose Signs in Life, we didn’t expect to laugh as much as we did. Deanna opens her book with a late-night run-in with law enforcement that had us all chuckling and shaking our heads because who hasn’t been there? But what’s brilliant is how she weaves humor into moments of truth about listening for God’s guidance. By the end of our discussion, we were talking about our own missed signs and times when God redirected our paths. It’s rare to find a book that can entertain, inspire, and still spark meaningful conversation, but this one did all three.

[Carrie Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what made this book resonate most with our group was Deanna’s vulnerability. She doesn’t sugarcoat her mistakes, she shares them openly and lets us in on her thought process. Instead of presenting herself as a perfect Christian, she’s honest about being impatient, stubborn, and sometimes blind to the obvious. That’s what makes her lessons so powerful. We all agreed that her stories reminded us of times in our own lives when we ignored God’s nudges or barreled ahead with our own plans. Reading her book felt like listening to a wise but funny friend who always finds the deeper meaning.

[Rochelle Callaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons our club picked this book was because it promised a balance of faith and humor—and it delivered beautifully. Each chapter stands on its own, so we were able to read a few at a time and then gather to talk about them. That format worked so well for us because it gave us time to reflect and apply her insights to our own week. The way Deanna turns everyday frustrations—like a stop sign or a speeding ticket, into spiritual lessons reminded us that God is present in both the mundane and the extraordinary. This book truly deepened our conversations as a group.

[David Beaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me most about Signs in Life is that it never felt preachy. Deanna shares her faith with warmth and humility, not from a pedestal but from the passenger seat of a very real, very human life. Our club loved the fact that she included plenty of humor alongside her spiritual reflections—it made the book approachable, even for those of us who don’t normally read ‘faith-based’ titles. By the end, several of us said we wanted to start keeping our own journals of ‘signs’ we encounter in daily life. That’s the mark of a great book, it changes how you see the world

[Priya K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, practical, and relatable. I found myself reflecting long after each chapter. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for encouragement and guidance in life. Deanna writes with warmth and grace, making every page feel like a personal conversation. I truly recommend this book for believers who need fresh perspective.

[Linda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, heartfelt book that speaks straight to the soul. Deanna’s stories are honest and inspiring, and her insights are easy to carry into daily life. Highly recommend this to anyone on a faith journey.

[Mary B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Signs in Life during a difficult season at work, and it helped me slow down and listen for God’s guidance. The “Stop” chapter especially spoke to me. I recommend this to anyone needing encouragement.

[Wyatt Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was deeply moved by how ordinary moments became extraordinary lessons. This book reminded me that God is always speaking, if we pay attention. A beautiful read.

[Miles Bennett]

Deanna writes with honesty and grace. Her journey is full of lessons that touched my heart. I recommend this to anyone who needs gentle reminders of God’s presence.

[Marcus T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and deeply encouraging. The way she connects simple traffic signs to God’s direction is both creative and profound. A must-read for women’s groups and personal devotion.

[Sophia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect. It’s both simple and powerful, reminding me of God’s presence in everyday life. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Grace E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about the “Road Narrows” moment reminded me of times when life felt overwhelming. Deanna’s story gave me hope to trust God when paths get tight. Highly recommend.

[Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about the “Road Narrows” moment reminded me of times when life felt overwhelming. Deanna’s story gave me hope to trust God when paths get tight. Highly recommend.

[Lisa Murphy]

I related so much to the “One Way” lesson. It reminded me that there’s only one true direction with God. A thoughtful book I’ll be recommending to friends.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her honesty about speeding tickets made me laugh—because I’ve been there too. The way she turned those moments into faith lessons is brilliant. A must-read!

[Eva Freeman]

Her story about arguing with her parents over college felt so familiar. It reminded me of my own stubbornness and God’s gentle redirection. Highly recommend.

[Pinto A]

The “Divided Highway” epilogue was powerful—it showed how life can split, yet God’s hand is steady. This book is full of encouragement I’ll keep coming back to.

[Covada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way she included little details about her family. It made the lessons more heartfelt and memorable. Highly recommend this uplifting book.

[Alicia McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reminder to “stop” before rushing into decisions really struck me. I needed that wisdom today. A relatable and encouraging read!

[Brian Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative and memorable approach to Christian living. Deanna’s use of road signs gave me new eyes to see God’s direction. Highly recommend for believers at any stage.

[Eva Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her description of driving lost in Seattle made me chuckle, but it also spoke to my own struggles with direction. This is a book I’ll be recommending widely.

[David Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories about her family made the lessons even richer. It shows how God works through the ordinary. I recommend this heartfelt and relatable book.

[Carl Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed the questions at the end of each chapter. They make it perfect for small group study. A book that teaches and inspires.

[Cheri Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The driving metaphors made the lessons stick in my mind. Yield, Stop, Wrong Way—they’re unforgettable reminders of God’s guidance. Highly recommend this book.

[Susan Creek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was encouraged by the reminder that God redirects us even when we ignore His signs. This is a book worth reading and sharing with others.

[Curt Malcom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her transparency about mistakes made the book feel so real. This isn’t a perfect Christian story—it’s an honest one. That’s why I’d recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Lavonia Beecham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blend of family memories and spiritual lessons was touching. It made the book feel personal, warm, and very easy to connect with. Highly recommend it.

[Peter Lipscomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how the “Divided Highway” epilogue tied everything together. It left me hopeful and inspired. A meaningful, faith-filled read I recommend to all.