As we progress through this surprise me experiment, I find myself praying for surprises for others more than myself. While of course there are a lot of ways in which I would selfishly like to see God surprise me, mostly I feel an almost constant sense of personal surprise anyway. That is one of the wonderful components of being a pastor; for better or for worse, life is constantly surprising. While I would like to experience more of God's power and surprise personally, I count myself fairly content with my life, work and situation; maybe too content. I just don't feel very surprise needy.So I find myself thinking of and praying for surprises for others. I have a good friend who will need new employment after Friday. I would dearly love for God to surprise him with a great new position and vision for his future. (I've actually got several people around me falling into this employment surprise category.)
I have some friends suffering memory loss and Alzheimer issues. Boy, would I love to see surprisingly enduring moments of clarity for these dear ones!
There is a friend facing yet another horrific surgery and several friends dealing with awful illness. There is a dear elderly man I know trying to put a good face on one serious medical problem simply because it isn't a worse medical problem. I would sure love to see some godly "silver and gold" lavished on these beggars! I would sure love to see some Acts 3 running, jumping and dancing!
And then there are my lonely friends. I am so completely spoiled in this area! Yesterday, as she was badgering me to hurry up for our evening walk, I playfully accused Monica of trying to control my life. She responded, "Well, Kevin, I don't get to control anyone else's life - so you're the only one I get to control! Everybody has to control somebody, Kevin! That's just the way things are. You're mine to do with as I wish." She said it with such cuteness and feisty twinkle...I am such a blessed guy! How I wish all my loneliest friends could connect with somebody as we have. Friendship is such a lovely, wonderful part of life!
I wish God would surprise my friends in Ely with a new pastor and the entire Ely community with new life and opportunities. (And I sure hope they get surprised by those Olympics in 2016 like they're hoping!)
I pray God surprises Mayme (and Dave) with the extra energy necessary to finish these last few weeks of seminary strong and victorious.
I could go on and on. My surprise wish list is huge!
Earlier today, God did answer one of these surprise desires of mine. A new homeless friend I've been praying with, who has been working really hard to get back on his feet in the last few weeks, was stopped by an elderly man on the street today. This elderly man noticed my friend getting up every morning and getting busy, heading off to the bus stop on foot. He asked my friend if he was homeless. When my friend responded, "Yes sir, I am," the elderly man gave him a brand new, beautiful Schwinn mountain bike to help him get around better! Since transportation is always a big challenge and the bus expensive, this was an enormous gift. I bought him a strong cable lock to secure it and we prayed together that God would protect it. And now we're praying for a job and eventually a home. Stay tuned for more surprises!
Surprise me God, but even more than that, surprise my friends!
Amen.
