I am in the middle of reading a book called "Surprise Me God". It's written by a man who decided that instead of giving God his grocery lists of needs and desires as usual, he would let God surprise him. I have found this book fascinating and thought it would be fun and inspirational to do this with some of my friends.
I would suggest buying and reading the book first "Surprise Me God" by Terry Esau. I'd love for everyone to participate by publishing your thoughts here. It'll will such a blessing to hear how God "surprises" each of us.
Looking forward to hearing from you all soon,
Lisa
11 comments:
OOPS! The book is called "Surprise Me" not Surprise Me God.
Well, I've had so many surprises lately, it's hard to start. I wonder if they were always there and I've just overlooked them. It's kind of like when you buy a new car and you think you've got the coolest, most unique color, make and model, and then as soon as you drive anywhere you see the same car everywhere. Or like baby names. When I named my oldest son Justin, I only knew one person named Justin and he was a grown man. After Justin was named, I heard the name everywhere even kids that were older than him. It was so weird. How did I miss it before?
I've had a lot of people emailing me about the fact that they are going to get the book and start their own surprise me experiment. I'm so excited about that. I can't wait to read your comments. I just hope I've set this blog up correctly so that you can comment. I'm not very techy so if it works....hey maybe that'll be one of your first (and mine) surprises!
Well I made it through chapter2 and the tears are flowing!!! Thank you for letting us in on your surprise and I can't wait to keep reading!Maybe I don't have to fear not sleeping well because I can look forward to my "surprise'. I think the "Ride" and my first reaction to "blow by " things in my life really brought surprise emotions....more to come.
We received terrible news last night that a precious baby boy, 2 years old had accidentally fallen into a pond and drown. Not only was that a tragedy, but it was the same day that his new baby sister was brought home from the hospital. In all the commotion of the new baby, apparently he slipped out the door and wandered into the pond. No life actions were able to resuscitate him.
I cannot even imagine the pain, horror and absolute helplessness felt by these parents. How do you explain that one, God? Well, nothing can and maybe that's the point as I was reading this morning. It's funny how since I've been reading this book, I'm finding God everywhere. As I was reading this morning, the chapter starts out with a story about a girl driving on her way to college, having a wreck and being killed. The author goes on to talk about this very issue--how do we explain God when this type of tragedy happens. The question he asks, is do we want to explain God. If we could explain God, would he still be God? Wouldn't that make us equal to God if we could explain every decision, every action, every motivation?
I know this train of thought is no comfort to those of us who have suffered terrible tragedy, which includes everyone or it will eventually. But if we think about it in the eternal sense, it should be comforting. God is God. We really don't question him that much when good, even miraculous things happen. We start out saying, "Wow, God is good." Then I think we somehow turn it into something we coerced by being who we are. We must have done something great; or the phrase "You must be livin' right." comes to mind. No, unfortunately, or fortunately, it really has nothing to do with us. Rain falls on the just and the unjust, as well as sunshine. We are not responsible.
We love God and want to do His will because He loves us and wants what's best. I was thinking about this this morning. It's like with our kids. We love them unconditionally or at least as much as humanly possible, but we don't always do what they think is best. We must place boundaries that make no sense to them. We all have been there. Now we're here with children, doing what our parents did that made no sense (at the time). We want our kids to love us, for sure, but more than anything, we want them to grow up, to be responsible adults who "do the right thing" because it's the right thing to do. I think that's what God wants from us. Don't try to figure everything out, just do the next right thing. Don't make it so complicated.
Agree? Disagree?
Well, my big surprise this week started building a little over a week ago. I am on a standing order program with a ministry called Marriage Today. So every month I get a CD usually pertaining to marriage, but sometimes just about an area of growth in our spiritual/personal lives.
This particular CD was on Forgiveness. I thought, "interesting. I've dealt with forgiveness. I've had to forgive some pretty big things over the years. I'll listen to it so that I can possibly help someone else when they need to forgive someone." Aren't I spiritual?
A couple of days later, a girl in our Bible Study said she was dealing with some feelings of hurt and unforgiveness toward a friend. (see the underlined word in red. I didn't know that unforgiveness was not a word.hmmm?) Anyway, I found my opportunity. "I have a CD that you've got to listen to. I'm sure it'll help." I said to her. I thought, "Wow. God. that was awesome. I just happened to get a CD on forgiveness and someone needed it that quickly. Cool."
The next day, I got an invitation in the mail to a luncheon that was being held by a friend of mine, Karol. She was going to be speaking on the subject of what else? "Forgiveness" How cool is that? I called the girl from our Bible study and invited her to go too. Wow. I'm really being used here. Isn't this great!
The morning of the luncheon I had to take my husband to the dentist to get his wisdom teeth removed. On the way over, something pricked my memory about an incident where he had said something to hurt my feelings very deeply. I told him about it. Now, in and of itself telling someone that they've hurt your feelings is not a bad thing. Most people would want to know that and would readily apologize, especially a husband or wife. However, the incident that I decided to bring up happened about 25 years ago. He agreed that even though he didn't remember the incident, he knew he had made a lot of mistakes in our early marriage and that he was glad that I had chosen to stay.
I didn't think all that much about it after that. I had brought up things like this before and no big revelation or reaction occurred so we just moved on. I dropped him off at the dentist and went home to wait for the call to come pick him up. As I listened to the radio, I heard at least 2 speakers talking about forgiveness. I then went to the luncheon alone because my friend had a doctor's appointment. I almost didn't go myself, but I had already RSVP'd. Karol did a great job speaking as always. I got in the car after the luncheon, turned on the radio and there it was again, another sermon on Forgiveness.
I thought, "OK, Lord. This is about me isn't it? But I really can't think of anyone I need to forgive or anything I could have done to beg forgiveness. Is there?" That's when it dawned on me. I have never forgiven my husband for probably the first 5 years of our marriage. I was still holding a grudge about things that happened then, even though he has more than made up for any hurts we inflicted on each other. Why was I doing that?
While it was a relief to know why God was putting all these forgiveness sermons in front of me, I knew I was going to have to tell Ron that I forgive him and ask his forgiveness for my holding such things over his head. It took me 2 days to do that. Why? Because I'm chicken. I hate apologizing. I hate being wr wr wr wr ong. See I can't even say it. But it had to be done and I did it. It was not fun, but boy do I feel better. I hope Ron feels better too even though he said he really didn't know I had been holding a grudge. He just thought that my occasionally bring up those things was his penance for messing things up back then. SAD.
My surprise I guess, is that it is never too late to ask forgiveness or forgive someone. Is there anyone that you're holding hostage by not offering forgiveness? Could be the person sleeping next to you.....
Lisa
Lisa
Well my blogging skills are very sad because they seem to not show up..maybe that is good? I loved the forgiveness thing you wrote and thank you for being so open and vulnerable. My thoughts are... I guess I try to think that my "peeps" are also sinners like me and I don't believe that they try to hurt me on purpose. It is my choice to be" hurt or not to be hurt". I try and remember that they really do care about me in the long run and maybe just had a really bad moment that they are going to eventually wish to do over. Maybe because I know that i too...have those moments and have those same "wishes". What does one do when a person "unloads" their crap at your feet. They feel better , but the "crapped on" is left to clean up alone. It happens all the time and we think we are doing what is right...for both parties!!! That is when the "time heals.... "can really be in your favor. Lots of praying for both of the injured is always the best medicine. Maybe sometimes you have to forgive yourself...and pray for another day. If I can let up on myself...then I find I can let up on others and not feel the need to "sneak up" on someones day. SURPRISE!!!!! love to you always
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Well I started reading Surprise Me the other day. I am really enjoying the book but at the same time I can't because it makes me realize that I haven't gotten any "surprises" in the last 2 days..or then I wonder if I just missed them and didn't pick up on that's what what happening?? I sort of feel empty inside, waiting for God to show me what my purpose in life is and what He put me on earth to do--I guess that can be my first surprise when I figure that out. Or maybe I just need to keep reading lol
I must have a very boring life. My surprises while they are still nice are so simple, but maybe God knows that's all I can handle. It seems that whenever I think of someone I haven't seen for awhile or that I need to call or write that very day I see them or hear from them. It's strange when it happens but such a nice surprise.
I don't get out much so I don't run into many people but I've noticed that when you take a minute to just say hello to someone and ask them how they are doing, that's exactly what they have been waiting for and the flood gates open. They will keep your ear for as long as you let them. I'm happy to listen, I just find it amazing how much people will tell strangers.
So even though I've had no HUGE surprises I am finding them to be very wonderful small ones. I'll keep reading and looking in the meantime.
sometimes the surprise is that you are the surprise for someone else
I got a wonderful surprise today :) My husband had flowers sent to me at work just to brighten my day and let me know he was thinking of me. What a wonderful and beautiful surprise :)
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