God Is Not Surprised!

What “surprises” you about your current situation? Did you have a “plan” or thought about where you would be at this time in your adventure of 2020? Did you allow for the uncertainty of this pandemic in those plans to last this long?

  I could babble on about the answers to those questions in my “world” but more than that was the realization this morning that God is NOT surprised!  And truth be told, if I “chew” on that one thought for a minute or two it “settles” my anxious wonderings! I forget sometimes how my whole being desires to be in “control” of all the details in this present and future time. How things seem so not fair, so confusing, so… “surprising” in many ways. But remembering that God is NOT surprised can create a shift in the reality of today’s craziness.

How do YOU handle surprises?

Several years back we lived in Utsunomiya, Japan we lived in an apartment building on the top 8^th floor. When you walk out the door there is an “open air” balcony of sorts that is in front of the entrances of each apartment and leads to the elevator.   I turned back towards my    door to lock it and suddenly something landed on my HEAD!  I didn’t see it coming and didn’t know what it was!!! Talk about surprised! I reached up to brush it off, (there was probably a slight “yelp” too), I turned back around toward the balcony and there sitting completely at ease was a pigeon perched on the rail! It was just sitting there tilting its pretty little head from side to side looking at me like “What’s your problem lady, I just wanted to get your attention?”  After I caught my breath and my heartbeat slowed just a touch I noticed that there were small “bands” on its legs and I realized that it was a homing pigeon—so  it was probably accustomed to some sort of “human” contact,  but really “did my hair look like its home?”  I of course, started talking to this surprised visitor and slowly approached it. I was able to gently stroke its incredibly silky soft chest.  It truly was one of the softest things I had ever touched. I was amazed at how calm it was and seemed to be in no hurry to fly away. We had a little “conversation” which was a bit one sided, but my new friend was attentive.  As I had an appointment to get to, I said my good-bye’s wondering if our “conversation” would be continued when I returned. I moved on with my day but wondered how things could have been different if my reaction to being “surprised” by its attention getting antics could have rendered a different reaction on its part.  My ability to not totally “freak out” when it landed on my head offered up the opportunity to experience a very personal connection.  Being allowed to gently stroke its chest is a very fond memory for me. Had I reacted differently I am sure the bird would have not “hung around”.

I am convinced that our reactions to the “surprises” that come our way can make a difference in the peace that we experience on our journey.

  Although I am confident of this concept, “full disclosure here…” I am definitely NOT always successful with having a calm reaction when surprised, but I am thankful to have had the above experience to draw from!

What I am learning about living life during this pandemic phase is that there ARE some very surprising and concerning issues that seem to present themselves!  And yet there is a verse that speaks to this very thing…Deuteronomy 31:8 it goes like this… “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” SO, if God goes before US, he already “knows” and cannot be surprised!  He knows the situation, and our reaction to that situation—I can’t “surprise” Him, by how I react..(which is a somewhat comforting thought because I have sometimes “surprise myself” with some not so positive reactions to  surprises.)

 I also appreciate the reminders of the part of that verse that states “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.  THAT also lends itself to the comfort of these crazy days!  How I handle the “surprise” that this virus is still in our midst when my understandings in the beginning of the outbreak was “this too shall pass”- quickly and without a lot of changes needing to happen on my end, or the surprise of WOW this is BIG and it does affect each and every one of us in one way or another, reveals my desire for an understanding that is bigger than myself or what I can control!

How will you respond to surprises?  We have options my friends! Moment by moment remembering who really IS in control of our days will grant us a peace that passes understanding!

 Ok then… Your reminder for today:  God is not surprised, and he is “with us” through all of it!

Have a great day ya’ll, oh…one more reminder… “Who should you invite under your UMBRELLA-while social distancing?!” “”

Under His Umbrella!,

Becky