SURPRISE!

From the time I can remember my family has loved to "surprise" each other.  Many times through the years Daddy and Mother would show up "unannounced" and we would be SO SURPRISED to see them standing at our door.

Our little family was living in North Carolina where we had gone to start a church, and I was very homesick.  I really missed my parents, and missed seeing all of our family and friends in Texas.  Jonathan and Andrew were little guys, and I wanted them to be around their grandparents, but God had called us to start a church, so we went.  I cannot say it was the easiest thing we had ever done, but His will had led us there, and we would be okay.   One day I got a call from Daddy and while we were talking I asked him if they could come and see us.  He told me all the reasons why they could not come at that time.  When I hung up I was very sad and disappointed.  Fast forward...

About five days later we had gone to some friends house to eat dinner.  When we arrived they invited us into their family room to sit down and visit awhile before we ate.  I hadn't quite made it to the couch to sit down when a door opened and standing there was DADDY and MOTHER!  I was speechless, and looked at Wendell and the boys where they were sitting on the couch, and they were stunned!  No one moved except me!  I tried to talk and make some sense, then realized I was about to faint from the "surprise" that was standing in the doorway!  I do not remember if I hugged them before or after I sat down.  Our friends were thrilled that we were so surprised, and that they had been a part of keeping a secret.

Through the years I've thought about that awesome time in my life when something I wanted so badly happened so UNEXPECTEDLY!  After that experience, I really believe I know how the disciples felt when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection.  :-) 

As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you."  But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.  He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet...then He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you..." (Luke 24:36-49)

Jesus was God, manifested in the flesh, and since we are made in his image I like to imagine how excited Jesus was when he was about to enter the house where his friends were gathered.  (I know how I would be if I was getting ready to walk in on my friends.) They were not expecting him at all, and he was anxious to see their faces when he "appeared!"  A smile probably came across his face as he thought, "The shock is going to be priceless!  I can't wait to surprise them! I  wonder if they picked up anything in our conversation that would make them believe I would actually come see them again?" After he had been there a little while and everyone finally calmed down,  I can hear him say, with a twinkle in his eyes..."I told you so!"  :-)

Have you ever had Jesus tell you something?  Sure you have!  You may have been in prayer and deep in your spirit he spoke and let you know what he was about to do.  You might have been reading the Bible, and it seemed like a light came on in your mind and you saw something you had never seen before.  When that happened you knew without a doubt that God had spoken to you!  Maybe you got a phone call and the person calling said, "I was praying and God told me to call you.  I don't know what it's all about, but He wants you to know...."  At that moment, once again you know you heard from God!

Then, there are times it seems as if the windows of heaven are locked tight, and your prayers are not getting through to him.  We pray...no answer.  We fast...no answer.  We testify about what we're expecting...no answer.  We claim our promise...still there's no answer!  Yes, there are those times, and you wonder, "Where is God?  Why doesn't he answer?"

Friend...don't be downhearted!  Jesus could be standing on the other side of the door waiting for that perfect time when you are least expecting him.  Just as you step into the room where he's planned to meet you, he'll open the door, smile, and say..."SURPRISE!  Here's your ANSWERED PRAYER!"  After you realize what has actually taken place, and you're over the shock, you will see a big smile come across his face as you hear him say..."I told you I'd do it!"