Surprise, Surprise!

You either love surprises or you don’t. There are some people who don’t love them, my daughter, for one. I suppose because it’s embarrassing when she doesn’t like the surprise and doesn’t know how to react to it. Unless you’re Meryl Streep, it can be hard to fake a positive reaction when that happens. Then you’re really in a pickle. Or then there are the shocking surprises like, when your wife comes home to tell you she’s pregnant with twins and the most recent baby was to be your last. Or you were surprised by the person who served your divorce papers.   But then there are those really great surprises… the emotion that comes along with it is so satisfying and fulfilling. Think of an extra-special surprise you received. Go back to that moment if you can. Does the wonder return? A smile? (Our memories are an amazing creation, aren’t they?) God is like that with surprises. He never tells you what He’s going to do. You can be on the brink of giving up and that surprise of an affirmative answer to prayer comes to you. What a gift! Never give up praying. I’m praying for something now and have been for quite some time. Absolutely no sign of an answer has come to me in almost a year. A YEAR! But I will continue to pray. Why? Because what I’m praying for, I believe, is a God-honoring prayer. He will answer in his time. Not mine. And it may not be the answer I want, but it will be the best outcome. I’m positive of that. I must have THAT MUCH faith. I must be THAT surrendered to Him and have complete trust that what He decides is THE BEST for me. And the peace that passes all human understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) And that peace might be the best surprise of all…