The Gift of Surprise. . .

 O Draw Me Lord - Arrangement by David Baroni

(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

With bated breath (coming from the word “abated” meaning to bring down), I found myself listening to the soft whispers and ever so subtle background giggles, while trying to listen attentively to my mother’s explanation to make a sugar sack tea towel. I was so thankful, however, that in only a few moments my mother would finally be called to the front foyer of her home to be greeted by her entire family joyfully wishing and singing her “Happy Birthday”! What a "surprise" it was, indeed, for all to see how delighted my mom was; our secret weeks of planning was a success!

For me, the “Gift of Surprise” has been plentiful throughout my life, both personally and professionally. My greatest surprise, however, will always be when my beloved husband proposed to me; a moment I will always cherish.  

The “Gift of Surprise,” as we all know, nevertheless, can arrive in many different ways, some which bring the most unforgettable moments of delight and joy, while others bring much heartache and sorrow. Have you ever wondered, however, regardless if the ‘element’ of surprise maybe pleasant or otherwise, how essential it is to our overall well-being and spiritual growth? Is it even possible to think what benefits we may possibly conceive from the “Gift of a Surprise” when it is heart-wrenching, rather than delighting us?
  
I have discovered, no matter how much ‘in control’ I think I am in my everyday ‘ordinary’ life, reality always seems to have a way to grab my attention by the ‘gift’ of its surprise and remind me, ‘nope, not so much’; such as the day when I was diagnosed with advanced cancer. It may not be cancer that has come into your life, but, perhaps, something else that has had just as much a significant impact in your life, which has made you “stop,” be “still” and, maybe, even wonder “why?”.  However, it is not a question “if” a surprise comes into our life, or “when” a surprise comes into our life, or "why" a surprise comes into our life, but “how” I choose to react to the surprise that has come into my life. Hence, God reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10); for He already knows the “if’s,” the “when’s”, and the “why’s” of the surprise. All He is asking from us is “how” are we going to “choose” to react to the surprise? Will we be still? Will we be patient? Will we trust?  

For better or for worse, I have discovered the “Gift of Surprise” has always given me many “ah-ha” moments throughout my life.  Consequently, many of these “surprises” have indelibly changed my life.  The “Gift of Surprise”,therefore, has become one of my greatest mentors by teaching me to “SHARE” with you the following ~

~ Stop and smell the roses! "Embrace" the “unexpected”, which has come into your life!

I cannot begin telling you how excited I was the other day when I saw not one but ‘three’ robins on our front lawn. Not only did it excite me knowing spring is on its way, but it also gave me a "moment" to appreciate the unexpected, smile and then quickly call my sister, first, to tell her what I saw before she called me; it's a silly game she and I have played for many years with one another to see who would see the first robin in the new year. So how does this scenario apply to my life living with cancer?  It allows me to "stop" and "embrace" each sunrise, each sunset, each new day, each moment with my husband, or the times I spend with family and friends! Hence, the “Gift of Surprise” gives me APPRECIATION!

~ Heed and observe! A surprise will always grab your attention, stop what you are doing and make you focus.  I have repeatedly reminded myself, “you keep do’in what you’re do’in; you keep gett’n what you’ve got”! With a surprise, however, often comes change; something many of us dislike because it may also bring uncertainty. Uncertainty, perhaps, is exactly what we need for it may, in fact, get us out of the doldrums’ of life, get us out of life’s ruts, and make us envision a new vision, which ultimately can revitalize our life. Hence, the “Gift of Surprise” gives me HOPE!     

~ Act and react! A surprise can often provide a new perspective, causing one to  

immediately act and react and, eventually, also ‘accept’ and ‘adapt’; case in point my cancer diagnosis. What possible “positive change” could cancer bring into my life? It most certainly has made me ‘reflect’ on the memories that have come into my life, but it has also made me ‘ponder’ what possible purpose it would bring into my life. It has not only provided me the opportunity to pray and encourage others, but I, in return, have received the blessings from others, around the world,who have written to me saying they are praying for me and my family. I am deeply humbled. Most importantly, it has drawn me closer to God and His words of comfort, assurance, respite and encouragement; in other words, His never-ending CARE.  Hence, the “Gift of Surprise” gives me THANKS!     

~ Resilience and fortitude! When a significant “surprise” occurs in one’s life, our body immediately goes into what is called our “flight and fight” response, also known as

‘hyper-arousal’. Whatever perceived incident, particularly if negative, may be infringing in one’s life, our body immediately has a physiological reaction; in order to regulate the stress caused by this ‘unexpected’ surprise. As we all know, there will always be pitfalls and setbacks in our lives both professionally and personally.  However, having the determination, having the confidence, having the ‘resilience’ and ‘fortitude,' is what we must use to either get ourselves back on track or a new track. It is only through our ‘positive’ attitude can resilience be at its best helping us bounce back, strive and thrive from whatever obstacle is trying to put us down, destroy us or deflate us, BUT never defeat us! Hence, the “Gift of Surprise” gives me STRENGTH!     

~Enrichment and enlightenment! Finally, the “Gift of Surprise”, whether good or bad, brings both spiritual nourishment and insight into our lives. I cannot

express my gratitude enough, as I meditate on God's Word, for His boundless promises of faithfulness, love, peace, comfort and grace, which He gives to me each day, in order to endure the most momentous time in my life. When we "see" and "acknowledge" the impact a surprise can have in our lives, we will also see the “spiritual” growth in our lives, which gives us strength to endure whatever may come our way. It gets rid of doubt and brings us hope, which only God can give, if we put our "faith" and “trust” in Him. Hence, the “Gift of Surprise” gives me a new VISION!  

It is, therefore by the “Gift of Surprise” that I SHARE with you another blessing of H.I.M. I am so often reminded of the following scripture verse, which brings much comfort, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope” (Romans 5:3-4). And so I ask, "What can be more peaceful, more comforting and more humbling then when we kneel before God, look up toward His face, and give Him thanks for His bountiful mercy and grace, while He give us His endless “Gift of Surprise” through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?"