Surprise Us God!

​Surprise, Sorpresa, Wundern, Quelle Surprise.  (English, Spanish and Italian,
German, French)

Whatever the language,
the word, Surprise,
carries a special meaning,
it is a special word
with the power to change anything,
to change everything
to create a new circumstance
to create a new paradigm
to give voice and life
to a real change
that is at once startling
and at the same time
wonderfully welcome.

Surprise.
Can you see the hand of God?
Can you hear a prayer being answered?
Do you recognize a need being met?
Is it your need that is being attended to?
For whom is the Surprise intended?
Is it for you?
Is it for one for whom you pray?
Surprise! It may be for all of these.
It may be totally unexpected.
Does it affect you deeply?
Then think hard upon it
until you see the hand if God within it,
until you receive the surprise
into yourself.
When God is recognized for the gift
He gives to you, or to one you pray for,
or know,
or care about;
then be thankful.
Be joyful in the thanks you give.
Tell others of the gift which you receive,
gifts which God has shared with you,
Then, testify.  Tell the story,
how God is good, and you know,
all over again, from this surprise,
how good a God He is.

Then, go...

Glorify God,
      Grace others,
           Grow disciples!

And when you do this, you will see.
He lives!
     Surprise!
              Amen.

A poem by Jon Elvrum, 1/7/2020