Surprised By Love

“But me he caught—reached all the way
 from sky to sea; he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down,
  But God stuck by me.  
He stood me up on a wide-open field; 
I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

Surprises are my love language. (Not really.... but kinda)  

I feel loved when someone thoughtfully brings me a surprise.  It can be a flower, a note, a call.  Or any little thing, really.  It’s the time and thought someone takes to show me that they care that fills my heart with so much joy.

God has been teaching me about his love for me.  Sometimes, He takes me by surprise by the little gifts he gives me that are just between us.  Only in the secret places of my heart does He know these little longings.  I shouldn't be, but I am surprised to be loved.  

I am surprised by His love. 

I imagine that He gets a lot of joy from giving them to me.  I know when my kids are given a surprise by me, that I am delighted.  

Like the time the ice cream truck came through......

It was a few hours before dinner and the chimes of the ice cream truck came through the neighborhood.  Perturbed by this scenario and what I knew was about to play out.... I sighed.  What kind of person drives an ice cream truck through the neighborhood before dinner!?  It NEVER comes in our neighborhood!   Now I am going to be the "bad guy" and have to say no!  

Immediately, I heard Tripp scurry upstairs to get his money.  "Mommy!  The ice cream truck!!!! Can we?????"  

(I get called mommy when they want something)  

"Can we get some???   I'll pay for it?!"  He was bursting with hopefulness.  

(Gosh, how many times have I wanted something, bursting with hopefulness?)

I said, "No," just as Lily was running in to ask the same thing.  

"NO NO NO.  We have icecream in the freezer," I said practically.  "You can have it after dinner."

"Mom  PLEEEEEZE?"

"NO, ITS TOO CLOSE TO DINNER…."

“MOMEEEEEE?????  PLEEEEEEZE????”  Tripp started with tears welling up in his sensitive little 8 year old eyes.  

“No, its not up for debate.  You don’t need it.”  

It was final.  I did not hear any more arguing about it, but I knew they were disappointed. I felt bad.  I started to remember a disappointment myself.

I was at that time walking through a disappointment of my own.   I realized that minute that I had been asking My Father for little surprises to show me his love in my hurts and healing. 

In that moment, something snapped inside me and with urgency I dashed to the door.  The chimes grew closer, and called the kids from the kitchen commanding them to get their quarters.  

They couldn’t believe it!  Mom had changed her mind and they were elated.  As they were scraping their quarters together, I ran outside to stop the ice cream truck that had just begun its course down our street.  

Impractical, nonsensical, but oh soooo fun!  They were delighted, and it caused my delight to grow.  The next thing I did was even more of a surprise.   As soon as we got back inside, I commanded them to eat their icecream.  Yes.  Before dinner.  And as I watchend their little eyes light up for joy in their simple little gifts, my joy tank filled, and my eyes lit up. 

You see, when my kids are happy; when joy exudes in their beings, I am overjoyed.  I could go on with story after story of the way I feel when my children experience joy, love, walk in their truth, etc.   

When I bought my son a pair of shoes this weekend, I saw it again.  Like the many times before I’ve experienced my children’s joy, my entire being lights up.  

My being lights up!

And the spiritual law of reaping and sowing.... that universal law of attraction cannot be denied! 

Joy breeds joy, generousity breeds generousity.  I love my children in the details of their hearts desires.  I cannot always do all of the things they want. (single mom on a budget)  

My creator  hears the secret unspoken desires in my heart.  He knows all of my longings, and he delights in answering every single one of them.  He loves me immeasurably more than I love my kids.  He is a good Father and often with an amazing sense of humor... shows up for me with a surprise to delight my heart and His. 

You have not because you ask not.  What surprises are lingering at the heart of you?  What can you do to surprise another human in your world?  Think about it.