{Five Minute Friday | Surprise}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {SURPRISE}.

Ready? GO.

Sometimes, I just have to stop and take it all in. In those moments, I cannot believe where I'm standing. I can't believe what God has done. How faithful He's been. My life isn't picture-perfect by any stretch of the imagination. The thing is: were I to take all the pieces and create a picture, it wouldn't look like this. It would be a hot mess! The pieces of my life make a far different picture apart from His perfect faithfulness. Just, wow. I am astounded by Him. Surprised. Amazed.

Then, fresh joy bubbles to the surface and love - yeah, butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of love wells up from way down deep. And I'm surprised by how much I love Him. Were it not for Him, I would be stuck in a pit of darkness and despair. Were it not for Him, joy would have been out of reach. I am so grateful. Grateful that I belong to Him. Grateful that He loves me. Grateful that He is all that He says He is.

I love that about God. He's a beautiful mystery. While I am continually surprised by Him, I know for certain that He is unchanging. And, He's always good. Always.  Be encouraged today. He will never be taken by surprise, and He holds the entire world in the palm of His mighty hand.

Stop.