Reflecting on the little sister still deep inside, I am reminded of her 13th surprise birthday party. I was of course in college at the time, and for some strange reason, MNU doesn't consider Valentine's day a holiday to close school, however I made the journey home that weekend anyways. Now in preface to this story, being a Valentine baby, and "the baby," her birthday was, and is, always a major ordeal. In fact, I'm not sure she knows yet that Valentine's day is not in celebration of her birthday. Even to this day, we still go all out for her birthday. Having said all that, for me to not come home to celebrate would have been extremely disappointing. So back to my story.
Now, Riley had no knowledge of me coming, but the rest of my family did. I had it all planned out. I even got home early to set up the dinning room of our house to accomodate her friends. The table was set, glitter was thrown about, food was ready, friends were invited, and games were in place. After making the necessary preparations, I hid in the back of the van to pick Riley up from school. When we arrived, I popped out of the back and gave her the surprise of her life! She was so overwhemled she started crying! And that was just the beginning! The evening went off without a hitch. Her friends slept over, we played games, ate food, and in the end produced gut busting memories we'll cherish forever. Twenty four hours prior to the surprise, Riley had not been expectating anything so spectacular, in fact I would venture to say she was even a bit hurt that I would not be returning for her special day. But in the end, when my little secret was revealed, it made all that disappointment worth it, because it was wonderful. We still talk about it.
I say all this today because I am reminded that God has secrets He keeps from us until the proper time. Instead of getting caught up in "when will you answer! why did you do this?! etc." lets remember that He knows something we don't. He has a spectacular party, or answer, or blessing He's keeping to Himself, so that the end will be that much sweeter. Today I just have to smile. I like knowing, and reflecting that God has little secrets and surprises planned for me when I chose to seek Him.
The days of barbie playing might be long gone, but to me Riley is proof of God's little surprises. She has defintely experienced her share of disappointments, heartache, and waiting, but I look at her and see a beautiful, compassionate little soul, ready to embrace adulthood. Two months ago, when she was applying for jobs, and contemplating, questioning, and searching, little did we know that Starbucks lurked around the corner. I can't wait to see what surprises God has instore for her life. In the end, I hope that God will find us faithful, and when we are least expecting it, He will show up in all His glory and knock our socks off!
Deuteronomy 29:29 (New International Version, ©2010)
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Jeremiah 29:11
Have a beautiful, blessed, expectant Saturday! Love!
1 comment:
AAHHHHHAAAA, what a precious memory and a precious analysis. Cant wait for God to show YOU His glory.....I can just see Him and all the angles grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of the His big reveal!
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