Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Dearest God,

Tiny surprises lift the soul and help us think beyond ourselves.  Today two of us surprised my husband with a visitor from our church in Maine.  I knew he was traveling out west and would be driving through the Midwest on his way home.  I invited him not only to visit but to spend the night.  I fixed a nice dinner and we ate outside.  The look on my husband's face was priceless.

Although Rob and I planned this little surprise, I can think of countless small surprises that have come from your hand.  Your surprises are usually transforming moments because we realize we do not have the ability to manipulate such events.  Try as we might, we fall short. That's what makes us believers.

I can't begin to count your many surprises to me, let alone count those for my family, friends, retreatants, our church, and more.  Every time it happens I am blown over.  Why?  I believe sacred surprises are simply a gush of your grace.  It is so much love in a tiny space that it overwhelms us.  In those moments we are temporarily changed; our aha moment transforms something inside us.  We have to suck in air when we are lovingly bent over with joy.  Gratitude, if we notice the divine touch, naturally follows.  The event can change us forever or at least give us an opportunity to rethink our self and our situation.  That alone must bring joy to you as we "get" the gift and the giver.

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for gifts
from on high.
You are God;
there is
no other.
Thank you
for your generosity,
your kindness,
and your love.
We would wither
without you.

Love, Andrea