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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Happy Surprises - Count your Blessings

My niece loves the phrase, "Happy Accident." She is an artist (a very good one) and it is so appropriate, especially working in conjunction with many art mediums. There are so many "Happy Accidents" to be discovered along the way!

Reflecting on "Happy Accident" thoughts also make me think of other words that describe “coincidences”.

There's the word Synchronicity.  According to Wikipedia: Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner.

What about "Serendipity", which is a propensity for making fortuitous discoveries while looking for something unrelated.” (Wikipedia)

But...are they really "Happy Accidents"? Is it really "synchronicity" or "serendipity" at work in the background of our lives? Do you think it’s just a coincidence when unrelated things happen?

When I consider the highlights of my life I can see a series of surprises —“Happy Surprises”, from the hand of a very generous God. Isn’t that amazing? Not really! It seems to me that God delights in surprising us. The truth is that I serve a God of "Happy Surprises." However, upon further introspection, I doubt that I reflect on those happy surprises as often and as thoughtfully as I should.

There are many important moments in my life that can illustrate this truth of “Happy Surprises.” I think of how He delights in me! How He loves to surprise me!  The enjoyment He has when I pray for a solution so He can show me how HE will provide…and it’s always in ways I didn’t even consider!!!

God has some “God-sized dreams” for me that began in His heart and then He placed them in mine. Yet…so many times I wonder (doubt) at God's hand in the "what if's" of my life.

"What if" I do this?
"What if" I choose that"?
"What if" I go this way?
“Is this Your Way”?

God says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; and I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:8 NIV).

I can trust Him. I can follow Him. I can thank Him!

I love the old hymn, "Count your blessings—name them one by one—and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

God is a God of  Happy Surprises and I give thanks for His unrestrained love...and all the generous surprises He has lavished on me!

"Be filled with the Spirit … always giving thanks to God the Father for everything" (Eph. 5:18, 20).

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him … and overflowing with thankfulness" (Col. 2:6–7).

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18).

For now I’ll leave you with the complete words to the song "Count Your Blessings".  (Yep...this song will be stuck in your head all day)…but it’s a good reminder to “Count your blessings!”

   1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

o Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]

   2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
   3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
   4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Johnson Oatman, Jr., pub.1897

Till tomorrow...count your blessings,
debi

4 Cowgurls said:

Angie @ thejunkranch said...

Such a nice post...I used to teach an elementary art class about Happy Accidents...always loved that lesson.

Lori said...

Such a blessing, this 'Happy Accident' that I visited you today. Thank you for your meaningful thoughts and your willingness to share them. Love your blog.So nice to know that God is guiding us in best direction for our lives.

Terri said...

Well girl, no accident we met, that much I do know.
I have lived most of my life by my "gut" and being aware of messages all around me. I believe we all are blessed w messages, the trick for me is staying aware.
These happy accidents occur most often when I am on that path intended for me. When they slow or stop, I know I have lost my way.
Some think this is a crazy way to live, but it's the only way that works for me. When I begin "thinking" through my decisions, my life becomes a mess. Best to listen and watch, at least for me.

Meander said...

I think this is quite possibly my favourite blog post of all time! Love love love this. There truly are no accidents and at hard times or even happy ones it is so difficult to remember that everything has been orchestrated by God to teach us, to grow us, to produce character and hope. Thank you for the reminder. Even with the name of my design business being Serendipity Interiors, I still need to constantly praise he that makes happy accidents occur! Love you to pieces! xoxo