Issue 1477 – Surprised – June 19, 2024

The family is away for a week, so Kathy and I are doing our pet  duties. We’re looking after the dog, two cats and a bunny.

Early yesterday morning I went upstairs to let the dog out and tend to feeding and watering all the critters. The dog went out, and I fed and watered the dog and cats and went to tend the bunny.

I realized I hadn’t heard the bunny moving about, which was unusual. I looked, and she was stretched out on her back, not moving. She is getting old and could pass at any time, and I confess I thought she was dead. I selfishly prayed, “Please, Lord, don’t let her have died on our watch.”

I opened the cage door, and she still didn’t stir. Reaching in, I touched her, and she bolted upright, sending me into a startled jump backwards and scattering the cats. The little beast had been so sound asleep she hadn’t heard anything going on around her. I’m unsure which of us was more surprised, the poor sleeping bunny or me.

It was one of those moments that would have made for a great social media reel. After a few moments, I recovered and laughed at myself. I don’t know who was more surprised, the bunny or me.

It was a prayer that I was glad that God answered the way I wanted Him to. As I looked back on the morning, I thought about prayer.

The Lord answers our prayers and blesses and protects us far more than we realize. We pray, and then when He answers, we have already forgotten and don’t even notice.

God is capable of answering prayers and protecting us in ways that seem “miraculous.” We all have one or more of those stories or know people who do. Those are important, but His care, provision, and protection in seemingly small things are equally miraculous.

I believe we will be astounded when we get to heaven if God allows us to see all the places His hand was upon us in life. He is the giver of life and every blessing in it. 

He uses our pain and sorrow to make us more like Him. Every step in our journey is choreographed to make us better people.

We can forget that

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

We need to remember Paul’s admonition.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Take some time today to reflect on the surprising ways (big and small) that God has made Himself known to you, blessed you protected you, and then give Him glory.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)