Simple, Sweet, and Delicious

Every day something new, unexpected, and possibly wonderful happens. About two years ago I started looking for these little surprises and recording them daily. I was further challenged when a DJ from the Sound of Life (89.7fm) asked, "What would happen if everyday we woke up and declared 'Something wonderful is going to happen to me today'?" She continued with, "Try that for a week and let me know what happens." I've never woken up with that kind of anticipation for a whole week, but thought to myself, "OK, why not?"

So the next morning, I did it. After stumbling out of bed and making my way to the plaid sofa in my living room for my daily routine of meditation and prayer, I thought, "Something great is going to happen to me today."

The morning ritual of signing in and conversing with colleagues before beginning reading time with my students was quite uneventful. Various groups of students entered for their instruction and then returned to their mainstream classes. The last group finished at 12:30 pm and I was off to lunch. By the time I had grabbed the left over beef and broccoli from my white dorm sized refrigerator and made my way down the hall and around the corner to the faculty room, there was only about fifteen minutes left. I scarped down my meal and at 1:00pm headed back down the hall and around the corner for the next group of students.

Wow! I walked through the door and over towards my desk to discover a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They stood in a clear, glass vase, held inside a white square box, resting on the table. In front of the box laid a white envelope with my name written in blue script. Who? Why? I ripped open the envelope to find my friend, Lori, wished me a Happy Birthday. My birthday had passed over a month ago. However, in no way was this gift too late. On the contrary, it couldn't have come at a better time. After all, I had focused my thoughts on something great for that day.

In the same way the DJ from the Sound of Life challenged listeners, the book of Philippians admonishes people to focus on things that are positive, uplifting and true. Phil. 4:8 (NIV) reads: "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things and the God of peace shall be with you."

This past Sunday, as I review the events of my day, I recall an unexpected phone call from a long distance friend, saving an extra 15% off another order of books, and fresh out of the oven banana chocolate chip muffins my Mom, Linda, served me when I dropped by unexpectedly.

The flowers I received,the day I woke up with anticipation, were over a year ago. I certainly don't get them everyday, but I face each day knowing, something good will come. Simple, sweet, or delicious. No matter how big or small the gift is, it is a gift from above. It is God saying, "Look for the good, focus on and trust me. I am the God of peace."