Surprise

Surprise!  Babies get away with the greatest expressions.  When they are unhappy they cry.  When they are happy they grin.  When they are surprised they do the face above.  If I were a baby my face might be permanently stuck in that position.  The last 6 months have felt like that surprise party....you know the one that happens at your own house after you walk out of the shower in only a towel.  Or like the episode of Friends where Monica says she is glad that no one else is at her baby shower and then 15 people pop out from behind the couch and curtains.  Oops!

I've seen and heard a lot of people say that 2011 was such a horrible year for them.  Sometimes I'm sure those are generic statements but other times I know people are going through really rough, life altering events.  We have had our share of ups and downs just like any other family.  I've learned that my up might not be an up to someone else and my down might not seem like a big deal to someone else.  It's important to be sensitive when dealing with people's emotions, especially the stuff that really gets to them.  I can't always understand why certain circumstances effect different people in different ways.  But they do.

My biggest lesson of this past year has been thing...

"Nothing comes as a surprise to God."

Peter said this to me in a moment of disbelief and pain and confusion.  And I listened.  And instead of just repeating it like a little Hallmark greeting card message I really meditated on the words.  And instead of being frustrated when life doesn't go my way I've repeated to myself and others...

"Nothing comes as a surprise to God"

Sometimes it sounds like this

"NOTHING comes as a surprise to God"

because I really need to mean it that day.  When you consider those words it might make your situation more frustrating.  Why did God let this happen if he knew it was going to happen?  Etc Etc.  I have chosen to take comfort in those words.  The God of the Universe loves me enough to have brought me to this place I don't understand.  He didn't just drop me off in the middle of the desert with no water and only a quarter....because honestly where does a quarter get you these days!?  He gave me everything I need to get through this situation gracefully. 

He has taken my circumstances in the last 1/2 of the year and turned it into something for which I praise Him!  My circumstances do not surprise Him.  Neither does my response.  But by choosing to embrace the fact that He has chosen this life for me because He loves me I can make it through!

I've also heard a lot of people saying "I'm not making resolutions this year or I'm making goals instead."  Whatever you are resolutionless or full of goals for your new year add this one to it.  Choose to believe that your circumstances are not an accident. 

"Nothing is a surprise to God."