Sunday, July 11, 2010

SURPRISE!

"No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9


A surprised Emily on her eighth birthday this past spring


Yes, I am still here. It is interesting how the newest trend can impact the biggest part of one's life. I used to carefully, with great anticipation, create posts worthy of the sweet readers that visit our blog. I'd choose scripture and photos, I'd proofread and proofread again. Our blog began as a means by which to share our life, as we added a new family member through the gift of adoption. It is no secret, I adored blogging. But, I would ask myself many times...at what price am I blogging?

The past year, I began to work more, sometimes full time. Blogging...well, there was no time for that. If I was going to have quiet time with the Lord or facebook or singularly host the laundry list of other daily activities that demanded my attention, how on earth would I blog? Well, that is a really good question, because this year, for the first time in three years, I was presented with a new issue, where is all the time going? My children would say, "You are on the computer too much." My husband would concur and even my parents have made mention of my less than healthy computer mania that diverts my thoughts and splinters precious time.

As much as ceasing to blog may solve one problem, it would create another...the truth is, I LOVE to write. I especially love to write when the thoughts will be provoking, insightful and perhaps even make someone think or act when they otherwise may not have. I think God has equipped me to gently minister to the hearts of others through writing. Written word is powerful. In some ways, though shocking in our technological mecca, we have lost the art of effective communication. We email a friend, rather than speaking voice to voice, we type out sketchy text messages to thank a girlfriend for the wonderful gift she left on our doorstep, long gone are the gliding handstrokes of a penned letter to an aunt, a sister, a friend. Well, not completely. But I am guilty of sometimes travelling the heavily trodden road, instead of trusting my instinct that insists an eloquently written note would be far better than my lesser efforts.

I will continue to post entries here, though I must admit, I feel convicted to share more than just a personal family history here. I feel like this is a good place to deposit some of the wisdom imparted on me through the Truth I love more dearly than writing, blogging or even taking and posting pictures. Sure, my family will still appear here, but it is important I note, now that Emily is older, sometimes she will specifically say, "This is private Mommy, please do not share this." I honor that. I honor her heart and the privacy that is our children's, even if it means I need to re-write something I love. I love her more.

I chose the title, "Surprise" very specifically. Recently, my parents' pastor was relocated to a new church. We do not attend their church as members, we are merely visitors because we have a home church. Yet, everytime we attended the four years he was there, not one time did he ever miss an opportunity to invite us back and make us feel welcomed. On Easter Sunday, his sermon was entitled, "Surprise!" With great animation, he discussed the "surprise factor" of Easter. The joy....the sheer miracle of a surprise as grand as Christ rising from the dead. If I could convey via blog post the energy and joy, I most certainly would, but I can not. There is something I can do, in Pastor Sunil's honor...I can make you feel welcome here. I can invite you back. I can let you know, you are not a visitor, you are a friend, whether you have been here once or fifty times, I value you and your comments.

So, though it may be a surprise that I am back and ready to post again, it is not a surprise that God has big plans. As much as we relish in the surprise of His resurrection, we must also relish each surprise of everyday...the small ones and the large ones...the ones we know about and those yet to be revealed.

Did you have a surprise today? I would love to know about it.

14 comments:

Football and Fried Rice said...

That's the kind of SURPRISE I like ;) What I love about having your own "corner" of the WWW is that you CAN write about whatever you want, or nothing at all. It's amazingf to imagine what kind of impact you can have by making people feel comfortable, welcome, in the name of Christ!

Anonymous said...

just found your blog today. I must admit that I find your title surprise to be "exactly what the lord ordered". You see, we have had the surprise of our lives lately. Our nephew, Theo was born 15 weeks early. Although it is not what we would have chosen, it is exactly God's plan for Theo's little life (and ours). He is our 1.7 lb miracle. Just as the pastor welcomes you back over and over at your parents church, we need to be reminded that Theo's early arrival is what it is and we need to welcome Theo and the lord into our hearts at this time. He is a miracle, just like the miracle surprise on Easter that we all received. I am glad I found your blog. I will continue to follow your blog. I have found that through blogs (other's words) that I have drawn closer to Him. It seems that with blogs there is often no grandstanding... no preaching from the mountain tops... just a personal experience that affirms my faith. Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of a surprise. I needed this today. If you wouldn't mind, please place little Theodore in your prayers. He needs them. His mama and daddy need them. He is a special gift. We are truly blessed.
Katherine

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am with Sara......I LOVE this kind of surprise:)

You have such a way of articulating your thoughts and I always leave your blog feeling better. You are so positive, uplifting, and seem to have such a wonderful outlook on life!

I know we are all busy, but I am glad that you are going to keep on keeping on when time allows!! I for one always look forward to your words and your photos.

Have a wonderful week Heather~

Lisa

Heather said...

Katherine,

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing about Theodore. I will be adding his precious little life to my prayer requests. Please stop in again and again to tell us about Theodore and how well he is doing! Thank you for the honor of lifting him and his family.

Love,
Heather

Jboo said...

So happy to see your post. You truly have a gift and can write and say things in such a wonderful thought-provoking way! Thanks for the surprise! :)

Janet

Sharon Sloan said...

:) Loving His Truth more than writing, blogging, photographs, etc....amen, sister! You are singing my song! So glad you will continue to write here as God has truly given you a gift. May it all be for His glory and purposes.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
(1 Cor. 2:4-5)

Going to pray for Theo now....

The Byrd's Nest said...

I LOVE your writing....I love when you share your thoughts about God's word and how He is working in your life. My family has said those same things to me. For me, I think I have been on the computer to remain connected to the states....that is my excuse...not a good one. I told Greg the other night that when we get to Mexico, I am going to pour myself into the women I meet. Love you and thank you for these words:)

day by day said...

Heather...you truly have such a gift for writing and I love reading your posts and the thoughts you share...much wisdom, my friend, much wisdom!

That is a perfect picture to go along with this post! What sheer excitement and surprise on your precious Emily's face!!

I hear you about the computer....I have really cut back my time on it and my poor blog is oh, so neglected. But, I know it's not going anywhere. : )

love you, my friend!!! And I am soooo happy that you blog, because if not for that, than I would not have the honor of knowing you!!

**KATHERINE**

Congratulations on your new nephew!!! I am the mom to a premie and I know how very frightening this time is for your family and how very frail these little ones are. The machines and all of the medical things can seem very overwhelming.

My premie is 20 now and healthy as can be, but I remember that time like it was yesterday. She fought and overcame her early entrance to this world, because while I was not able to hold her or bring her home with me, her Creator was holding her very close as she grew strong enough to finally come home. Oh, how He loves your Theodore and will be holding him close!!!

I also want to share that she was my parents first grandbaby and it was because of the uncertainty brought by her early entrance, that my Father came to know the Lord!

I will be praying for Theodore!!

love,
Michelle

Unknown said...

Heather - amen sister!

I love your writing, heart, precious family and all that you decide is right to share here and the photos well I adore them too!

Miss you!
Jill
Praying with you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for placing Theo in your prayers and for all of the kind words. Theo or "YO YO Boy" as the NICU staff calls him is doing remarkably well today. Yesterday was a scary day. Blood transfusions, placed on a ventilator, and the possibility of open heart surgery later this week was discussed. And, just like the little YO YO he is, he has bounced back today. Still on the ventilator, but a much better day. I must say that I am shocked and completely at a loss for words for your kindness to pray for a complete stranger. I will add your family into my prayers, also. Thanks again, Heather and Michelle.
Love,
Katherine

3 Peanuts said...

What a lovely surprise. I could identify so much with so many parts of your post. I am thrilled and delighted to see what wisdom you will offer here. I know it will be GREAT!!

Kim

P.S. I will pray for Theo too:)

Toia said...

I love to write as well as craft. But its amazing how trhough it all God would use our talents to build up His Kingdom and to bring people close to Him. I am looking forward to reading more of posts. Blessings to you and your family enjoy your weekend!!!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

What a great surprise to see a post from you. Since I've been a bit blog absent myself, I KNOW what you are talking about and we've talked about it in the past.

You are salt and light and I know there will always be people happy to read the special words God speaks through you.

I love you!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hello!

Katherine again. Just thought I would let you know that little Theodore is currently in the OR for open heart surgery to repair the PDA valve on his heart. Sweet little peanut. He has been through so much in the fist few weeks of his little life. We are praying for total healing of his valve and lungs so that he can get off that vent. Getting off the ventilator will be huge for him. Please keep him close in your hearts this evening. He will need all the prayers that can come his way. Thanks again. I am bowled over by your kindness to pray for Theo. He is adorable. He is a miracle. I will update y'all later with his progress.
Best,
Katherine

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