The Unexpected

Last summer when our son got married he wore a black tuxedo and his bride wore a beautiful wedding gown. The usual wedding garb. But I loved their quirky additions-a hot pink bow tie for the groom and hot pink high heels for the bride. The samurai sword and techno processional made the day memorable–a touch of the unexpected. (And we got a great daughter-in-law...not unexpected.)

In November as I walked to the train station, I passed a half dozen persimmons reluctant to let go of their mother tree and fall to the ground. It was lovely. Orange persimmons. Blue sky. Promise of tasty treats. But what startled me and caused me to fish out my camera was the audacity of an azalea bush–a spring, early summer flower–to parade alongside the autumn persimmons. It made me smile. Brave, I call it. And definitely unexpected.

In January I was taking a walk and saw a man pull a long white radish out of the earth. It seemed a bit late in the season for gardening, but there is was all fully grown and ready to provide its tang and vitamin C for its master. Another unexpected happening.

Later that month I geared up for hosting a bunch of teenagers for Spiritual Life Emphasis Week (SLEW) and at the end of the week found myself unexpectedly energized.

In February I traveled to Karuizawa for TEAM Ladies' Retreat–always a highlight of my year. As I walked by the train station waiting room in that snowy mountain town, I startled. There was no one in sight. The last time I saw that room was March 11, 2011. It was overflowing with people watching the newscaster share the overwhelmingly sad details of lives lost and property wiped out in the tsunamis. We were all trying to get home. None of us did that night. But God was faithful even in that unhappy unexpected happening.

Last Saturday my co-workers and I hosted our annual Arts & Skills Day for English-speaking homeschoolers and small schools. It was a smashing success. Every class was outstanding and kids and parents alike were delighted. Over a month earlier I had been overwhelmed with all the details of planning SLEW, coming up with a balanced budget for our division for next school year, writing evaluations for the students who took achievement tests, and preparing for Arts & Skills Day–our biggest event of the year–all within six weeks. God reminded me that the busier we are, the more we need to pray. To help me keep my focus and not let myself panic or plunge into work before praying, I made lists of all the things I hoped for in each activity and used them as my prayer lists. It's astounding today to read those lists and see how God answered. It really shouldn't have been unexpected. We serve a mighty God!

This week I saw a Japanese businessman on the train dressed in the usual...black suit, black socks, and black shoes. But he finished it off with a fluorescent yellow tie. I loved that man's courage. I got off the train and found a store with a real snowman and real tulips blooming advertising their wares from Niigata (prefecture by the Japan Sea). I'll bet in Niigata folks don't see those at the same time!

This hunt for the unexpected has heightened my awareness of God's love and creativity. I hope you'll enjoy God today!