A Glorious Unfolding
A few years ago, I planned a huge Christmas surprise for my kids.
I had been planning for months. I wanted to make sure that it was a fun, exciting surprise, not just a simple unwrap the gift and the excitement is over kind of gift. So, I prepared a Christmas scavenger hunt that would lead them to the best Christmas gift they had ever received!
On Christmas day, I picked my kids up from their dad around 10:00 am. We got home, opened gifts, and the kids ran over to their grandparents—oblivious that there was still a big surprise waiting for them. I chased them down and explained that the fun was just beginning.
And with that, I handed them an envelope with a clue.
I’m not sure how the kids felt at that moment, but I know that I was just about to burst. I had been waiting for this moment for months. The excitement was about to kill me as I waited to see the joy on my kids’ faces when they found the actual gift!
The kids opened their first clue and quickly figured out their next destination. Off they went to the barn where they found another clue. They worked together, going from one clue to the next. Traversing the neighborhood in search of the next elusive clue. Appearing at their teacher’s house to read the Christmas story, only to be rewarded with a clue. Christmas caroling to a neighbor to find yet another clue.
Finally, they came to a gift-wrapped box. As they ripped the paper off the box, anticipation growing and wondering if their mom had lost her mind, they found a jigsaw puzzle. A Mickey Mouse jigsaw puzzle. I instructed them to put the puzzle together. Around the edges of the puzzle was written, “We are going to Disney World!”
Yes, I had planned a trip to Disney World, a reward for having walked through the darkest days of our lives. A celebration of how far we had come. An exclamation point to say, “We have made it…together!” I had given a gift of a lifetime. I had been able to bless my kids with an incredible gift, and it brought me great joy to see my kids’ excitement.
I had more fun planning for this gift, this scavenger hunt. I spent weeks researching airline prices, finding the best tickets to the theme parks, deciding where we would stay. I had talked to others, made plans with neighbors and family, to make the scavenger hunt as much fun as possible. I don’t know how much fun the kids had, but I had so much fun! My anticipation of the big reveal was almost more than I could handle!
Giving a good gift to my children was the joy of a lifetime!
Today, I was on a long drive alone with plenty of time to think. I began to think back on a recent conversation I had with God. (It was really a pity party, but I will characterize it as a conversation.)
It went something like this:
Me: “God, I am really tired of this season,” I began. “You have promised me that it’s almost over, that you have great plans. I really need to see some movement. I need to see you reveal yourself.”
God: “Write your book,” came the quiet, gentle voice.
Me: “Ok. I hear you God. I am working on it. But you know how tired I am. How am I supposed to write a book when I have three kids, a full-time job, and all kinds of other responsibilities? And, I am sick. You have to do something. Haven’t I been faithful enough? Can’t you see that it’s time?”
God: “Write your book,” was his gentle reply.
On and on we went. I had my pity party, and God quietly reminded me to write my book. Be faithful. Do what he’s called me to. Focus on the task at hand, the command he has given me.
As time has passed, I have kept that conversation with God in my head. Every time I find myself frustrated, I remember that I am supposed to write my book. I have a very real sense that there are big changes coming… after I write my book.
I have only three chapters left in my book as I write this blog post. I have been plugging away, slowly but surely. In the midst of my crazy life, I have been putting words on paper, pouring out my heart in words that I pray will touch many.
And today, as I drove alone to meet up with my kids, I meditated on that conversation—along with the song Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman. I began to sense that on the other side of this book, on the other side of this manuscript, there’s an amazing gift. I am soon to see the glorious unfolding of God’s great plan.
And, I had a vision. A vision of God sitting in heaven, encouraging me to write…just as I encouraged my kids to follow the clues for the scavenger hunt. He knows the plan, the surprise…just as I knew the great prize waiting for my kids. He has spent years working out all of the details, working everything together for my good…just as I spent months planning all the details for my kids’ trip to Disney World. He knows that my heart’s desires will soon be fulfilled…just as I knew how excited my kids would be.
And he can’t wait to see the look on my face, to see the joy that this glorious unfolding will bring to my life.
He is the good Father who loves to lavish good gifts on his children. He is overflowing with excitement as he waits to reveal all the details. He is about to burst in anticipation of what is coming.
I must simply be faithful, obedient. I must focus on his current command. I must continue on the path he has laid out for me.
And, one day soon, I will see his great plan unfold as he takes great joy in pouring out his blessings on me.
And you? He has great plans for you, plans far greater than you could ever ask or imagine. Plans for an abundant life, filled with all the best he has to offer. He only asks that you listen to his commands, walk in obedience, and wait patiently for him to act. He can’t wait to lavish you with his great gifts!
What a great Father we serve!
Dear Dena
I just want to say thank you for writing on the dreaded “D” word. I came across your 3 beautiful truths article and it has put a lot of questions I had into perspective.
PS: I will definitely be buying your book. Please make sure you release on Kindle or book stores in South Africa. 🙂
Thank you, Beverley! Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be standing up for divorce, but it’s crazy how God uses the very things that “disqualify” us from ministry to qualify us in his eyes! I will absolutely see what I can do to get my book to you, even if you order directly to me and I ship it to you! I will be adding an email list soon to send updates to anyone who wants them! God bless!
True confirmation. Thank you for sharing your story. I too have three children, all girls. I also love to write, especially for The Lord. I look forward to reading your book! God is Great! Bless you and your children.
#Godismyrock
Thank you, Sheila! God is truly amazing! He takes the broken pieces of our lives to give us a voice. I’d love to hear more of your story!
Glad you are doing what you’ve been told – it was a delight to meet you on that book journey! God is probably anxiously awaiting the look on your face as you complete the project he has given you and you realize what a gift it is to you as well as to those who will benefit from it!
We need to get together some time! Can’t wait to read your book. I pray it saves many marriages!
I’d love that, Dena!
Yup 🙂 I would say write your Book 🙂
???????????? Working on it! I feel like I need to rewrite the entire thing after my writer’s conference this weekend!
It is so easy in the mundane things in life to forget that God has a good plan for us just as we plan good things for our children. Thanks for the well written reminder. Hope and pray that you get more time to finish your book that I am sure God will use to encourage others.
Thanks!!!
I’m ready for your book!
I’m ready for it to be out!!