I am always surprised by the things God does. How He provides. How He speaks. How He. . . .
However, when I look back over my life, I see His consistency in all things. He is always faithful to provide. He is always speaking. He is always working, loving, guiding, intervening. . . He is always. . . He is God.
If I reflect on His character and our relationship, it’s not surprising at all that He would do these things. Why am I surprised?
Maybe my surprise reveals my lack of faith? Or maybe it reveals the greatness of God? He is beyond my imagination and comprehension.
I suspect it’s actually both.
Miranda helped Kasen and Kesleigh record an audio book for me for Father’s Day. It was a big surprise. It’s actually a book that Miranda bought that was set up for the recording process. Anyway, I took the audio and put it here ’cause it’s so cool. My kids (and bride) are AWESOME!
Miranda: Where do you like to go with dad on a Saturday and why Kesleigh?
Miranda: Where do you like to go Kasen?
Kasen: Go to . . . play volleyball.
Miranda: OK. And what game do you like to play with dad?
Miranda: Would you and dad have more fun on a boat, a dog sled, or a spaceship Kesleigh?
Kasen & Kesleigh: A spaceship.
Miranda: and where would you go?
Kasen: to the moon and jump.
Miranda: You would go to the moon and jump Kasen?
Miranda: Where would you go Kesleigh?
Kesleigh: to the moon and jump.
Miranda: You would go to the moon and jump too?
Miranda: What else would you do when you were there?
Kasen: Uh. . . not slide down.
Kasen: No, because it’s too far.
Miranda: Too far. Kasen, if you and daddy were superheroes, what powers would you have?
Kasen: Fly super high. . . fast.
Miranda: Superfast. And what would your names be? What would you call yourselves?
Kasen: My name would be Batman an daddy’s name would be Superman.
Miranda: Those are good names. What do you think Kesleigh? What would your superpowers be?
Kesleigh: My daddy o Superman.
Miranda: Well, what are you?
Miranda: Kesleigh if daddy were a king, what kind of food would he have at his feast?
Miranda: Just ketchup. Kasen, what kind of food do you think daddy would have at his feast?
Kasen: Uh. . . . sausage and biscuits.
Miranda: Sausage and biscuits. That’s a good food. Do you think your favorite food is the same? What is your favorite food?
Miranda. Grilled Cheese. What is your favorite food Kesleigh?
Miranda: Cheese. Just cheese huh? OK – What kind of animals would daddy have at his castle Kesleigh?
Kesleigh: I don’t. . . some ketchup. . . some ketchup.
Miranda: Kasen, what kind of animals do you think daddy would have at his castle?
Kasen: Sheep and uh . . . uh. . . a king.
Miranda: He would be the king?
Miranda: Kasen, where do you think daddy’s favorite spot in our house is?
Kasen: . . . . in the bathroom?
Miranda: <laughing> In the bathroom? And what do you think daddy does there?
Miranda: He goes potty. OK. Kesleigh, where do you think daddy’s favorite spot in the house. . .
Kesleigh: He goes to get ice cream.
Miranda: When he goes to get ice cream?
Miranda: Where does he go to get ice cream?
Miranda: At Chickfila? OK. If daddy could be the same age as you Kasen, for just one day, what do you think you would do together?
Miranda: You would swing? What else would you do with him?
Miranda: What else would you do with daddy? What do you like to do with him?
Miranda: You like to go potty with him?
Miranda: If daddy won a gold medal for doing something incredible, what do you think he’d win the medal for?
Miranda: Loving. For loving who?
Kasen: For loving me and Kesleigh.
Miranda: For loving you and Kesleigh? That’s a nice one. OK Kasen, look here. If daddy gave you a big trophy for doing something amazing, what do you think you would be doing that was so amazing for him to give you a trophy?
Miranda: Kesleigh, what is it that you like about daddy?
Miranda: And his birthday? Kasen, what do you like about daddy?
Miranda: Cause he plays baseball with you?
Miranda: What else do you like?
Kasen: Uh. . . eating ice cream.
Miranda: Eating ice cream with him?
Miranda: That’s a good one. OK. Let’s say we love you daddy.
Kesleigh: I love you daddy.
Kasen: I love you daddy.
Miranda: We love you daddy.
Miranda, Kasen, and Kesleigh: Happy Father’s Day!
We had an incredible experience last night!! A bunch of friends (both old and new) surprised us and showed up at our door Christmas caroling. It was Nov 20th. We gathered the family to hear them and when they finished singing, they explained that they knew our year had been tough (with my unemployment) and wanted to come “be the church” to us. They handed Miranda a gift bag and then (like the movie) one by one filed by and dropped $$$/gifts in. We were all in tears. In addition, we received tons of cards and beautifully written notes from people who were unable to come as well as financial gifts both large and small. Some of the small ones are incredibly touching too – from students and people who really don’t have much to give.
Their presence, encouragement, love, and gifts could not have come at a better time. Although God has carried us through this past year, we have had discussions lately about how we’d make it through the next few months. We’re learning to trust Him more and these incredible friends were the faces of God’s provision for us last night. I can’t describe how much of a blessing they really are. My friend Josh said that God could have just given us the $$, but instead, out of His goodness, He decided to bring His people together so we’d receive both $$ and encouragement. God knew what we needed. He is an incredible provider!! He is good!! And we are blessed!!! It’s truly a Wonderful Life!!! I am grateful, humbled, honored, and probably most importantly: I know the LORD and His character better because my friends and family have represented Him so well to us.
Those who sent messages or $$ or both.
Those who organized and planned.
Those who were sneaky and lied to us so it’d all work out.
Those who got the word out.
Those who drove such long distances to be with us.
We are especially grateful to God for bringing these people into our lives, for providing us with $$ and encouragement, and for motivating them to “be the church” to us.
I’m 39 years old now. There’s really not much in life that surprises me. Life has become very routine. It’s a good routine, don’t get me wrong, but it’s still a routine – well, for the most part. Even when things don’t go as planned, they really don’t typically surprise me. My bride and my son Kasen are the joys of my life, and yet, I pretty well know what they’re going to do. And if I don’t, they still don’t surprise me, ’cause I know their character – I know what makes ’em tick – what motivates them to act a certain way. I love the consistency of it all. I love the fact that my relationships are strong enough that I have come to expect a few things and am rarely disappointed. I love being able to anticipate Kasen’s laugh when I wrestle with him and the look on Miranda’s face when I reach out to hold her hand. I really love routine. I guess it’s probably true of most people. We like to know how things are going to go – what it’s going to feel like – you know, we like knowing, so we can be prepared to respond the right way. Maybe it’s a control thing or a prideful thing, but we still want to keep up appearances and pretend like we really have things together.
Anyway, all this is to say, Miranda and I have chosen to go against our own human tendencies for control and consistency. We decided not to find out if our next child is going to be a boy or a girl. We want to be surprised!!! We’re anticipating the moment of birth when the doctor will say, “It’s a beautiful baby __________!” I’m sure we’ll break out into tears of joy either way, but there’s something about not knowing that makes this journey more fun. It has become an adventure.
Does a treasure hunter know exactly what he’ll find at the end of his search?
How much fun would Christmas be, with unwrapped gifts under the tree?
It’s all kinda like those people who read the last page of a book before they begin the journey.
Yeah – I want to know how it’ll turn out, (if it’s a boy of girl) but I already know I’ve placed it all in God’s hands, so isn’t that good enough? This way, when the doctor says, “It’s a beautiful baby ________!” I won’t have any idea. My response in that moment will be the overflow of my heart.
I’m excited about that day, but I’m even more excited about our child. Will he/she look like Miranda or me? What will they like to eat? Will he/she play football with Kasen and I? Will he/she like to sing? Will he/she come to know Jesus in a life-changing way? What kinds of places will we go to together? Who will he/she marry? What will he/she fight with Kasen about? Will he/she live Godly lives and love the Lord?
I’m so grateful to God for routine and for surprises!!! Both are truly a blessing!
Kasen sure is happy, but he’s not near as happy as Miranda and I are about having him in our lives! Miranda took this one last night with our new camera and surprised me by sending it to me while I was at work. Fun stuff!!