I like to shake things up.
I like to show up in your life
… in unexpected places
… at unexpected times
… for unexpected reasons.
I like to surprise you.
My thoughts for your life are better than your thoughts for your life.
And sometimes to re-direct your life, I’ll show up in unexpected ways.
When I show up to surprise you it may
… catch you off guard
… throw you off balance
… leave you scratching your head.
But the discomfort or the perplexity of the moment won’t last.
Just decide, in advance, to follow Me…. no matter what.
Because when I shake things up, I have good reason.
When I shake things up, I plan to take you on a turn for your good and My glory.
When I shake things up, you will stand in awe at how I can make things work out so well.
When I decide to surprise you, I need you to
… stop and look
… be attentive
… be ready to hear and then act on what I say or what I show you
And try not to be afraid of the surprise or the “shake up”
Know that I see you. I feel your heart. I hear your cries.
And sometimes… I respond by saying “Surprise!”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
Dear crystal,
Thank you so much for sharing this. Right now is coming to mid-terms and with opera rehearsals, i need a word of encouragement and uplifting…busy… Busy and tired…I know this is unrelated to the topic, but it just reminded me that he is still watching over me.
Thank you.
He is ALWAYS watching us. I need that reminder sometimes too.
Great perspective Crystal . Thank you so much for sharing. May we respond to God’s “Surprises” with a heart of obedience 🙂
You are an extremely gifted writer
Thanks so much for that encouragement Jo.
I love this & really needed to read this as I have been discouraged lately about the direction of my life but after reading this I am stating IN ADVANCE that I will continue to follow him no matter what. Thank you Kingdom Woman for this blog!! God bless!
My church is doing the Kingdom woman series and I thank God for you and your father teaching me my worth as a woman of God
Isn’t it wonderful that He loves us like he does? Thanks for visiting the blog Sheila!
Thank you, Chrystal! I found this post today after a week of shake ups and surprises that left me worn out. Now that I’m on this side of them its easier to process your words and the truth behind them. It is a great reminder and I pray that during the next round of shake ups and surprises that I will remember how true this is! He is with us. He does hear us.
Once again you are a blessing right now in my life there are some serious surprise with my health and my income, but I have no doubt that Jesus want work it out and after reading this I know he will. Thanks for being a real woman of God.
Just Decide, in advance to follow me no matter what… The very words I heard this morning whispered in my ear during my quiet time….Wow! You are amazing God! I love His surprises especially when He uses His willing vessels to get His Surprise across! Thank you Chrystal May our Lord continue to bless you!
Thank you for sharing this.
I have been encouraged by you ever since yesterday, I know a short time huh? Well I started reading KW yesterday and was completely blessed just by reading the introduction. I have to be honest and say that when reading the forward from your mom and sister I was like okay, I hope they are confident with what they are saying about the book. They were right there is no other book out there that encouraged me the way the first 2 chapters have and the intro. I heard about this book sometime last year and didn’t really pay it any attention until I went to my local the Family Christian Store and I kept seeing it, but didn’t get it. The second time I saw the book, I was on Instagram last week and Tamara Mowery Housely posted a picture of the book and this last time I was at the Family Christian store again(LOVE going to that store), I was there wanting to purchase another book as I was going to “look” around I was stopped dead in my tracks right in front of the Women’s Interest section and there was KW again, I picked the book up and started reading the back and I said to myself which one do I get? I was stuck! So I said God which one do I need? Help me. As I held both books in my hand I began thinking about what I am going through in my life right now and I was walking alway with both in my hand when I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to out back the book I thought I was going to get back. Long story short I am so THANKFUL that God has given me His spirit. I have been so blessed just by reading what I have. I was just blown away and recommended all my girlfriends read it. I am part of a Women’s Group at church and this book is more relevant to read than what we are reading now an will read next.
I can go on all day, I LOVE talking and writing. I would like to share more of my heart with you, if you’d like.
Check out my blog naturallybeautiful22.wordpress.com
Thank you again for letting God use you to impacted my life.
[…] “Surprise” – The blog post I referenced from my Morning Meetings from Jesus reflections. […]