by Charleen Burghardt
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly Psalm 5:3 NIV.
I quickly found my seat and waited with expectation, hungry for encouragement. The predawn, Saturday-morning drive didn’t bother me because I knew the event’s speaker would be outstanding. Ann Kimmel Anderson, a best-selling inspirational author, was guaranteed to bring a message of joy and delight in living.
I waited with anticipation
I needed her words of faith since I was wrestling with the news of my son’s developmental delays. Ache and anguish swept over me for what lay ahead for him. I doubted God’s care for me and needed my spirits lifted.
When the program started, the moderator announced, “Our planned speaker cannot join us today. A terrible winter storm hit her home in Idaho. Heavy snow stranded Ann and prevented her from flying out.” My mood went from anticipation to feeling like a deflated balloon. “Gigi Graham Tchividjian, Billy Graham’s daughter, is a marvelous speaker in her place.” I didn’t know Gigi or anything about her. I was skeptical.
Felt Like a Deflated Balloon
The first statement out of Gigi’s mouth was, “Jesus never disappoints, but wonderfully surprises!” I took in that statement and, with faith, said to God, “I trust you have a wonderful surprise for me.”
True to my prayer, Gigi brought motivating stories about motherhood. I sat riveted in my seat, soaking in her words. She spoke about how Jesus enters a situation to bring unexpected calm, hope, and blessings. Her words gave me exactly what I needed. I left strengthened, ready to face whatever came. “Jesus never disappoints, but wonderfully surprises!”
Jesus Never Disappoints
For years after, I read and reread Gigi’s book, Our Search for Serenity. It helped me get through some difficult, stressful days of motherhood.
Like me, another woman awoke before sunrise. Mary Magdalene arose to anoint Jesus’ body three days after his death. I imagine Mary’s heart torn by grief, her mind swirling with unknowns. “Why did he die? I thought he was the Christ. He touched me, forgave me, and delivered me from seven demons!”
Jesus Forgave Me
Maybe tears streamed down her cheeks as she walked. Perhaps she replayed the moments of Christ’s brutal and horrific crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. She put one foot in front of another to care for the body of the one who set her free. How she loved him!
When Mary arrived at the tomb, she saw the stone no longer over the entrance. Looking in, Jesus’ body was not there. Bewildered and weeping, Mary turned and saw someone standing nearby. Not recognizing Jesus, she assumed he was the gardener. He spoke to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Empty Tomb
“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said, “Mary.”
Upon hearing her name, she recognized her Savior in an instant. Jesus Christ surprised her.
When disappointed, remind yourself of Psalm 5:3, to lay your requests before God and wait expectantly. “Jesus never disappoints, but only wonderfully surprises.”
How will Jesus surprise you today?
Prayer: Good and faithful Savior, come into my disappointments, hurts, and fears. I wait with expectation for your encouragement.
Grace Offers Hope,
Check out my bookshelf with new books.
Check out my book on grief. This is a very practical book for someone who has experienced a loss. Makes a great gift.
Where Hope Rises: 60 Devotions for Walking Through Grief with God
I am a contributing author in Glimpses of God in Unexpected Places.
This is a collection of stories of seeing God in unexpected places. Makes a great gift.
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