Surprise!
Surprise! Have you been surprised?
Bunny is the type of person that makes it very hard to surprise. We have been able to completely surprise her only twice.
The first time was when she was expecting our first child and we were invited to a gathering at a friend's house. Bunny had no clue as to what she was really going there for so she made a small grasshopper pie as a hostess gift. Well, she walked into a room full of women who yelled surprise and promptly began showering her with gifts for the baby.
Bunny was surprised (the pie was dropped). We thought she would have the baby then!
The second time we surprised her was when she celebrated her 25th year in the teaching ministry. Friends were spending the night with us (to be on hand for the Sunday celebration) and Bunny put in some potatoes to bake while we were at church. I had to turn the oven on before we went to church (didn't do that). There were hundreds of people on hand to help Bunny celebrate. Once she recovered from the shock of seeing family and friends, she turned to me and remarked, "I only have four baked potatoes, what will we do?"
This past weekend we surprised her once more. I met Becky in Michigan and she flew home with me. As we were driving from the airport, she called her mama and asked what was happening. Some small talk later we were in the driveway. Bunny had homemade chicken soup and fresh baked bread waiting for supper. Becky said she sure would like some. Bunny invited her over, just as Becky knocked on the back door. Bunny was surprised and joyful to be able to spend time with Becky (and have company for supper).
What a great gift Becky gave to her momma. Bunny had a very hard week last week and was feeling pain and some discouragement. Seeing Becky brightened her day, her mood and lifted the pain. It is my humble opinion that the unexpected gift is the gift most appreciated. It comes out of the blue - and we smile!
I am so blessed to receive many unexpected gifts. Every now and then I will feel life's pressures and my mood is down. Then I open an e-mail from someone and my day is brightened, my mood is happy and I feel great. Someone took the time to write me an e-mail that remarks on a way that I have helped. I am walking on air. I have been affirmed. I have worth.
We all need a shot in the arm, the pat on the back, the "good job" to feel important. This can be as simple as a compliment on the clothes someone wears, a note of appreciation, or an e-mail. It can be telling someone, "I said a prayer for you today."
As we encourage one another, we pass along that unconditional love that God shows to us. We love because He loved first. We become the words, the voice, the hands of Christ as we lift up each other with those unexpected gifts of encouragement.
Thank you for all you do.
Bunny is the type of person that makes it very hard to surprise. We have been able to completely surprise her only twice.
The first time was when she was expecting our first child and we were invited to a gathering at a friend's house. Bunny had no clue as to what she was really going there for so she made a small grasshopper pie as a hostess gift. Well, she walked into a room full of women who yelled surprise and promptly began showering her with gifts for the baby.
Bunny was surprised (the pie was dropped). We thought she would have the baby then!
The second time we surprised her was when she celebrated her 25th year in the teaching ministry. Friends were spending the night with us (to be on hand for the Sunday celebration) and Bunny put in some potatoes to bake while we were at church. I had to turn the oven on before we went to church (didn't do that). There were hundreds of people on hand to help Bunny celebrate. Once she recovered from the shock of seeing family and friends, she turned to me and remarked, "I only have four baked potatoes, what will we do?"
This past weekend we surprised her once more. I met Becky in Michigan and she flew home with me. As we were driving from the airport, she called her mama and asked what was happening. Some small talk later we were in the driveway. Bunny had homemade chicken soup and fresh baked bread waiting for supper. Becky said she sure would like some. Bunny invited her over, just as Becky knocked on the back door. Bunny was surprised and joyful to be able to spend time with Becky (and have company for supper).
What a great gift Becky gave to her momma. Bunny had a very hard week last week and was feeling pain and some discouragement. Seeing Becky brightened her day, her mood and lifted the pain. It is my humble opinion that the unexpected gift is the gift most appreciated. It comes out of the blue - and we smile!
I am so blessed to receive many unexpected gifts. Every now and then I will feel life's pressures and my mood is down. Then I open an e-mail from someone and my day is brightened, my mood is happy and I feel great. Someone took the time to write me an e-mail that remarks on a way that I have helped. I am walking on air. I have been affirmed. I have worth.
We all need a shot in the arm, the pat on the back, the "good job" to feel important. This can be as simple as a compliment on the clothes someone wears, a note of appreciation, or an e-mail. It can be telling someone, "I said a prayer for you today."
As we encourage one another, we pass along that unconditional love that God shows to us. We love because He loved first. We become the words, the voice, the hands of Christ as we lift up each other with those unexpected gifts of encouragement.
Thank you for all you do.