God is filled with surprises. Just when I think I've seen and heard them all, He sends another to rock my world, especially through these Notes. Often God uses a Note, a paragraph, a sentence...sometimes simply a word...to give comfort and encouragement. Here's what I mean.

 

Several years ago, as tension again filled the Middle East, God led me to write a Note about the "surprises of life". The focus was not on happy times, but those moments when we falter, lose faith, search for answers, live in fear, and worry. Two sentences stood out:

 

"Many point to people going through such times and label them as weak Christians, if Christians at all, and even call their lack of faith sin. Thank God that Jesus did not do that."

 

How would God use this Note? It didn't take long to find out.

 

I have been called to Active Duty. Please add my personal address to your list in hopes that I will be able to check it...I enjoy your messages...Thank you for your support. I'll be fine. My wife will have a harder time than I...Thanks again and Semper Fi! --- Tom*

 

I didn't know Tom or how he got the Note. But his email drove home something important---I did not know how God would use the Note, but He did. God knew exactly who needed those special words of encouragement. He had it all planned out. Later that same day another email arrived.

 

Yesterday was a horrible day in the sense that I hardly had time to read "the necessary" emails I received at work. Today I finally took a moment to read your Note of Encouragement. Your words brought a smile to my face, a tickle to my heart, and a great sense of comfort from above...You see, I am sitting at my desk now, waiting for the arrival of my husband. Our surprise came Sunday. My husband received his orders to report for active duty tonight...

 

Today, in my moment alone, before I meet my husband and we prepare to be separated for a year, God met me at my point of need. He is such a powerful God. Through you, and your words, He spoke to my heart and helped me to see how this situation can be such a blessing. I am so very blessed to have my Savior, my husband, my fellow sheep, and a wonderful Christian family. I have a peace about me as we leave and I wanted to thank you for your part in this. --- Ann*

 

Two separate emails. Each experiencing a surprise of life. One with peace for himself, but concern for his wife. The other finding peace in her worries for her husband. And on that very day when Tom stopped by to pick up Ann for lunch---yes, the same Tom and Ann---God was there and surprised them with His peace.

 

God works in ways we could never foresee. His love can flow through us to those who need help, comfort and compassion, touching them where they are. And yet how often do we not experience God due to limits we place on Him? We can't see Him because we don't believe He's really there...loving, comforting and helping.

 

But when it comes to our Heavenly Father and how He shares His life with us...what He can do is infinite. How He can touch a life is limitless. His ways are not our ways. And they are filled with surprises.

 

To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine... Ephesians 3:20a