Looking For the Unexpected

Depending on your definition of “unexpected”, your view of unexpected things may hold delight in the surprise of an unplanned occurrence, dread at the implications of the unforeseen or annoyance at the presumed interruption. But what if instead of fleeing from unanticipated occurrences we actually choose looking for the unexpected?

While not so much “unexpected”, this is the fifth Wednesday of June, one of four months in 2021 boasting five Wednesdays. In the spirit of genuinely seeking joy in all of life’s moments, on this unusual fifth Wednesday of June, I celebrate looking for the unexpected!

the unexpected offers hidden treasure

the unexpected is in the eye of the beholder

The unexpected happens every day. Whether we see it or not depends not only on if we look for it, but if we welcome it. Sometimes the unexpected results in seeing something we pass every day, but never noticed before.

I encountered this phenomena recently while playing outside with my two-year old granddaughter, Grace. In an effort to distract her from going too far away, I picked a few clover flowers, luring her back for a peek. While squatting down to show them to her, we both “sniffed” them, and behold, they sported a lovely light fragrance I had forgotten from my childhood. Excited with this new find, Grace began looking at the clover flowers growing in the grass at her feet, when our second unexpected discovery met us: bees.

She got down eye to eye with the bee, enthralled at its work upon the flowers. Amazed, I got down too, and before long, more came. We had such a close view we saw their little “pollen bags” and every detail of their face and wings. I chuckled all the way home at the unexpected ordinary I see every day; truly seen for the first time in a long time.

Taken by an unexpected surprise

Of course, sometimes the unexpected parades by just like a proud peacock, daring us to steal a glance. Seriously a peacock just like the photo walked out of a wheat field on my way to work. I took my own photo, but I was driving, or at least attempting to keep my car out of the wheat field, so my photo lacked the quality needed for online posting.

Peacocks do not call my area their natural habitat, yet there it stood on a shocking Monday morning in June. Definitely unscripted, but what a delight!

Sometimes the things we can’t change end up changing us

the unexpected brings a blessing

Then at times the unexpected comes with a much needed blessing. I’m not quite sure why, but I rarely request prayer for myself and almost never pray for myself. As self-focused as I tend towards at times, I admit the conundrum of this behavior.

But God extends His graciousness to me in so many ways, and the Spirit prays for us when we know not what to pray. I received an unexpected blessing from a friend who texted me God prompted them to intercede on my behalf. Is the unexpected ever so sweet as when it proffers a blessing?

treasure in the unpleasant unexpected

Looking for the unexpected treasure in the unpleasant events we did not anticipate proves more difficult. But truthfully, even the unpleasant, unexpected offers treasure, but of course you require eyes of faith to find it.

A recent turn of events at work presented me with handling a sensitive situation with a young woman whose husband was dying. On the down side it proved complicated, ugly, challenging and heart wrenching. On the upside, I learned I can do hard things chosen for me by God, He remains with me in the unexpected as well as the every day normal, and the unexpected never surprises Him.

By facing the unexpected situation, with an attitude of curiosity, looking for what God had for me, I learned compassion sometimes means listening to another’s pain through hurtful words. More valuable still, was watching God pour His healing love out of the wounds I accepted walking in the hard places with another broken heart.

looking for the unexpected

Looking for the unexpected throughout your days provides another way of welcoming God into your days. Whether He steps in with a revelation of Himself from creation, reminding you of His awesome Presence everywhere, or sends you an intimate reminder of His love for you, the unexpected speaks His name.

The next time the unexpected presses into your day, sit up and take notice, a God moment sits on the precipice. If you look with a view of finding Him, even in the unexpected hard, the treasure of transformation awaits you. God does His best work in the unexpected places.

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