"Surprise!"

"Surprise!"
A surprise gets your attention, doesn't it? Perhaps it's a surprise party celebrating a birthday,  wedding shower, baby shower, promotion, or retirement. Or maybe it's a gift you didn't anticipate. Either way, these surprises often bring feelings of joy and delight.       

Surprises are unexpected. My husband and I were driving home after vacationing in the mountains. We had a nice time away; however, we had a lot of things on our mind: prayers for the health of someone near, our plan to downsize to a smaller home for retirement, and all the other things that go along with making major life changes.  

As we came down the canyon I hardly noticed the scenery as I read an inspirational story to my husband as he drove.     

"Look!" my husband called out suddenly.

 I lifted my nose out of the book just in time. To our left, the multi-color hues of a double rainbow stretched across the horizon. To our right, the eye-candy feast of an orange, yellow, and peach sunset cascaded the backdrop of purple mountain peaks. Bright white billowing clouds touched down, rolling across the desert floor as if they belonged there. Then, an opening of blue in a distant cloud poured out a stream of glistening rays of light upon the land.    

Numerous vehicles pulled off the road to watch. God had dabbled in His sky artistry, and in the way that only He can. "Surprise!" He seemed to be saying, as He grabbed our attention at the marvelous sight. We recognized this moment as a Gift, and we smiled, our hearts filled with joy. All of the worries and concerns of the day seemed to vanish in those moments. It was as if God's signature was written all over the sky, His love pouring down upon us. 
 
Surprises are wonderful, aren't they? They come from friends and family, but they come from God, too. He is quite the gift-giver! 
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What surprises have most touched your heart? Feel free to comment below; I'd love to hear from you!
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For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." - John 3:16
​"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15