Don’t Spoil The Surprise

by Bethany McIlrath

A few weeks ago, two boxes arrived in the mail with my husband’s name stamped on top. He hasn’t opened them. They are in the closet. If they could speak, they’d be whispering temptation to me. Our hearts don’t tend to need much help with the temptation to impatiently spoil surprises.

“The LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” –Isaiah 30:18 NIV

The temptation to spoil surprises is often born out of the sense that what’s coming might not be good. Or might be out of our control. Longing not for goodness but for security, surprises pose the threat of introducing something new we didn’t choose for ourselves.

What a sweet truth that God longs to be gracious to us. While we’re waiting, He’s eagerly waiting too. God wants to give us good gifts. He delights in blessing us with what we never could choose for ourselves. Sometimes the timing is “not yet.” But that’s how surprises work, isn’t it?

We miss out when we spoil surprises by impatiently worrying about what’s to come. Sometimes we even set ourselves up for disappointment by creating expectations of what may be instead of just receiving joyfully what is.

God delights in blessing us—and what He has planned is worth the wait! Tweet this!

I’d rather enjoy the surprise with the gift-giver than spoil it before I even know what it is. That means being patiently excited and expectant in the meantime. What He has planned is worth the wait- and the joy when it is revealed.

Prayer:

Psalm 104:31 leads us in prayer: “May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works.” Lord, help us wait patiently and joyfully for the surprises you have in store, not spoiling them but delighting in your perfect provision. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!”

About the Author

A learner at heart, Bethany McIlrath is eager to share about her Savior. You can find Bethany’s writing on her blog: First and Second Blog. She would love to connect with you on Twitter or Facebook as well.

 

 

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Thank you for joining us! This devotion is a part of our current series: Sweet Smelling Fruit; Cultivating a Heart that Lives by the Spirit. Right now we are taking a closer look at #Patience.

Is this your first time here? I invite you to join us as we dig in to learn more about the Fruits of the Spirit!  Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to receive updates on future posts.

~Kelly

 

 

 

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