Birthdays, Balloons, and Surprises!

As I child, I used to think that when I grew up I would become a nurse or a teacher. In addition, I would live in a nice country style home with four kids and lumberjack husband. Now at the age of twenty-seven, I am learning that life is a lot more adventurous and full of unexpected surprises. And the life that I planned sometimes turns out a lot different than anticipated...

Instead of becoming a teacher or nurse, I became a preacher. I do not own a country style house, rather a small rustic summer cabin. Furthermore, I am not married; instead I was on a reality TV show called, “The Bachelor.” 

Surprising?!?

Yes and defiantly unpredictable!  Not exactly what I planned for my future…

The bible says, "in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" (Proverbs 16:9 NIV).  You can try to plan, orchestrate and coordinate your life, but hopefully you could acknowledge that life is full of many unexpected surprises. Generally, surprises come in all sorts of sizes and packages, which includes those good and bad surprises.

I was flying home after a week of speaking and preaching.  Just as the plane landed, the flight attendant announced that there was a special guest on board. I looked around trying to figure out who it could be, since I was curious if it was someone famous! A moment of silence and than the flight attendant announced, "Happy birthday Chantelle!"  What a Surprise!  In addition, I came back to work and my office was filled with over 300 birthday balloons.  The good surprises in life bring joy, laughter, love and excitement!

While those bad surprises in life can often bring fear, hopelessness, pain and sadness.  For example, a phone call that a family member has been in accident. Maybe it is someone you love or even yourself that is diagnosed with a deadly disease. Maybe it is a flood that overtakes your home or workplace.  Maybe it is a best friend who discloses her struggles with suicide or depression. Maybe it is an injury during a sports competition. Or maybe it is someone telling you that they don't love you anymore. These are all unexpected and unplanned surprises that change your life.

Over the years, I have learnt that surprises are simply a part of life. In all honestly, they have shaped, moulded and formed me into the person God has designed me to be. I have discovered that God’s goodness, faithfulness and very existence is seen through the good and bad surprises of life.

Rev. Travis School says, "I’m becoming increasingly convinced that God is found in the surprise, hidden in both the good and the bad surprises. Both give evidence of a costly and mysterious grace. But the evidence is often unexplainable. It is simply there, waiting to be uncovered, waiting to be revealed. Sometimes, its only response is an inarticulate cry, sometimes of pain, sometimes of joy, sometimes of both at once."

Do you respond to a surprise by laughing? Or maybe crying? Or maybe rejoicing? 

In whatever the surprises you may be facing, choose to see God in the midst of both the good and the bad. Because God loves you and He has great things in store for those who believe in Him. That does not guarantee an easy life, but a life full of peace, joy, hope and promises of a greater future. God is orchestrating your steps and "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes for them" (Romans 8:28).

I’ve learned to accept the mystery of surprises, the good and even the bad. Furthermore, I recognize that surprises enable me to see the very character of who God is, such as his faithfulness or goodness.

So, what are those surprises in your life? How are you choosing to respond to them? And what specific characteristic of God is evident in each surprise?

Be surprised!

Chantelle