In the musical performed by my daughter's theater class this weekend, there was a humorous line which has stayed with me. One cast member said it was an 'unexpected' surprise, the other cast member asked if there was really any other kind of surprise. It set all of us laughing. In Stephen King's book “On Writing,” these are the things we need to learn about. If it is a surprise, it is of course unexpected!
There is much in life which is unexpected. There can be an untimely death, an undiagnosed illness, or coming across a friend from long ago, sitting right across you at the cafe. The unexpected can also bring about new friends, within the workplace, at a Church committee meeting, or the sitting across from someone at that same cafe.
We should never turn our head when the unexpected happens. Rather, we should accept it with God's redeeming grace. I remember sitting across from a stranger at cafe, many years ago. She was alone, with a little one, about the same size as our little one, both us having the baby carrier sitting upon the tables We asked her to join us. Exchanging a discourse on what each of us did for a living, it came out that someone at her husband's work, the putting together of a major film, was looking for a private tutor during the works of putting together the film. Phone numbers were exchanged, and within days, I was tutoring two children during the duration of the filming of this film. It was a fun experience, though I kept wishing it would be Robert Redford picking up the children at my door, rather than their nanny.
I had hoped, it would lead to more tutoring, but it did not happen. I had not gone out to assert myself to gather new clients. How would anyone know about me if I didn't let them know I was here, expressing my beliefs in how I, as a teacher could educate their child while they were on set!
It is the same today; how is anyone going to know about the good Lord's Grace and His Spirit, to be shared among others, if we keep silent? We need to live our lives in a way where we are never too distant, now saying what we truly believe in. We must feel the power of Christ as we go out to reach others. We are not to ignore the filthy guy asleep on the sidewalk, the person asking for help with his car, nor the person attending to every day needs. These people can be the ones to turn our lives around, just as Abraham did in the Old Testament, saying there is only one God, and this is the God to be worshiped. God is the one sending others to be part of us, recalling our own rule under Him; to always kneel, washing of the feet of our brethren, not looking at the conditions of our brother or sister.
Just as I had hoped for other movie clientèle to come visit me, we hope others will go find God. In either instance, it does not happen by itself. I needed to bring myself to the film office, to say I was there, ready to serve. In the same way, we need to bring ourselves and others to God, ready to serve Him at all costs. At times, we may feel this is impossible. It is then we must remember the Scripture of Matthew 20:17, where we read our re you God saying, 'I assure you that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can see to this hill, “Go from here to there!” and it will go. DO have the faith. It is what keeps each of us moving!
Reflect upon your love for God. Pray, meditate. Ask Him how you can you do everything, serving Him at all possible times. May you become closer to our dear Lord as you open the shuttered windows, inviting Him in, telling Him you will do all possible to have a better life, blessed with His Grace!
