Season Of Surprise

Rather than steeping in the disappointment of a lonely Thanksgiving without family, Missy Buchanan wanted to come up with something silly and unexpected. So she and her husband shipped life-sized cardboard cutouts of themselves to their adult children and grandkids, and the family is still chuckling over the surprise.

Missy said she told family members to expect large packages in the mail, but she did not tell them of the six-foot surprise inside. Two preteen grandkids said they "basically fell on the floor laughing" when they opened the box and saw their grandparents' life-sized faces smiling up at them. Three-year-old Noah likes to talk to his cardboard grandparents, and he insists on bringing the cutout into his room at night when it's time to go to sleep. Grandkids Quintin (12), Oliver (10), and Clara (6) have had fun posing with their cutout grandparents in various spots around their yard, including one particularly endearing photo that includes chickens (look here).

"It doesn't do any good just to complain and be miserable and gripe," Missy said. "We can still have fun. It's just going to be a different kind of fun."

So often we cling to what we know, frustrated when the patterns no longer bring us the results we expect and looking elsewhere to place blame as we continue repeating what we know best. But God never promised us repetition and ease. On the contrary, the Lord grants us supernatural peace in the firestorm and company in the angst. So how will we pursue joy in new ways in this Advent season?

As you ponder surprises and set your focus on hope this week, consider these verses that remind us of God's steadfast love despite life's changes around us:

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

But you [my God] remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:27

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Even when God doesn't appear before us as we think He should or fix the world around us according to our plans, He has been, always will be, and is good. And in that, we can place our faith. So how will you surprise your family, friends, and neighbors with something unexpected that will draw them out of the weight of 2020 and into the hopefulness of faith in God's excellent plans for us?

Happy Advent, Friends. May your December be marked by laughter, joy, and surprises.

Jennie