"Unexpected Love Surprises"

By: Zach Wood

1 John 3:1a

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

 

 

I am always so amazed at how God shows His love for me in the most phenomenal ways.  His love for me sometimes comes in ways that totally blow my mind and take my breath away!  I usually do not see these unexpected love surprises coming and that is what makes the surprises so amazing!  This past weekend I was able to celebrate my 30th birthday with a surprise party that my beautiful, loving wife planned.   I had no idea it was coming and was totally clueless to the surprises that awaited me.  On Saturday, I was summoned to the church for a meeting that really was not a meeting.  I came in only to see family and friends scream "Surprise!" and sing Happy Birthday to me!  To say the least, I was shocked and very amazed!  I had no idea this had been planned and I was glad to be so surprised!  However.....the surprises didn't end there.  I was distracted and taken up to the snack counter, only to turn around to see my dad and stepmom walk through the doors in the back of the worship center.  There are NO words to describe what I felt at that moment!  I was shocked and speechless.  I literally thought I was going to fall over and faint!  Luckily, I did not.  What a surprise!  My wife had been communicating with them for the past few weeks and they drove up here just to see me for a few hours.  I know they are reading this devotional and I want them to know that I cannot thank them enough for coming all the way up here to surprise me!  I still get tears in my eyes just thinking about it.  After I saw them, I was told there was another surprise and my mother's voice came over the speakers.  She had mailed up a video slideshow of pictures from the last 30 years.  It had a beautiful song to go with the pictures.  My heart was totally melted by this point.  To sum this all up now, I had the most terrific birthday party ever!  Some of my church family was there, my wife's family was there, my mom and stepdad showed up, and my mother put together a video for me.  What more could I have asked for?  My wife was to thank for this! 

 

God loves each and every one of us so much that He loves to surprise us!  He waits for times in our lives to use others to show love to us.  These surprises should open our eyes and hearts to how wonderful of a life God has given us and how great family, friends, and loved ones He's given to us.  How great of a love God has for us that He wants to lavish His love upon us each and everyday!  There are even times when He totally blows us away with His love through others!  Isn't he awesome???

 

It is wonderful to be loved by people and to have such a loving God who cares so much for us.  I just challenge you all to think back and remember the times when God has brought you unexpected love surprises.  Just remember, He is not done yet.  He has so many more love surprises waiting just for you.  They may be birthday parties or some other event or situation.  He is waiting to lavish His love upon you and show you how much you mean to Him and to others.

 

Enjoy your unexpected love surprises!