I am the worst at surprises. Like my wife, I tend to like planned spontaneity, but life doesn't always cooperate. Sometimes, it just surprises you, and you just have to roll with it. When you do, some amazing things can happen.
I've been on a trip for the past two weeks. The day before I left, my computer decided it didn't want to accompany me on the trip. Sadly, I needed it, and in spite of it not working, it came along for the ride. Thank God I live in the time in history that I live in. I was able to use my phone and my tablet to do business for the first eight days.
My younger son, and 4 year old granddaughter, joined me on day 7 and we started discussing the possibilities for repairing the computer. After a trip to Best Buy, and a solid-state drive and a new operating system, life is back to normal. I taught my son to build computers 19 years ago, and he taught me to repair my laptop this week. That was a nice surprise. Oh, and it cost 1/3 of a new computer. That was a nice surprise too!
While I was standing on my balcony at the beach, I saw what looked like a family of 7 taking beach pictures. They were all dressed in like-outfits and it was fun watching them. There were four daughters, one son and mom and dad. There was also one extra fellow who was shooting pictures. From my balcony, I assumed he was the photographer. He wasn't dressed the same.
After a number of group shots, the girls went out on the beach for individual shots. They were hilarious. You would thought Vogue had just dropped by and saw this handsome family and decided to do a beach photo-shoot. Each daughter posed a few different ways and then the next one ran to that spot and the process started over. It was very entertaining.
When the final individual shots were taken, one daughter walked backed out to the beach followed by the young man who had been taking photos. It didn't take long to realize they were a couple. Mom started shooting pictures of them as a couple, and then, the young man knelt down and proposed to the daughter. She did the typical shocked look and accepted the proposal, which was followed by lots of hugs, photos and cheering from the condos surrounding the area. It was funny, a corporate cheer went up when the young man knelt and the daughter shook her head in agreement. The three condo buildings who were watching became a part of the surprise.
The third surprise on my journey happened in Walmart. No, it didn't involve shoppers in their pajamas, an Elvis impersonator or a great deal on flip flops, but it did involve shoppers. I was in a long line of shoppers who were waiting for their turn at the self-check-out. I noticed the young woman behind me had one item. I turned to her and encouraged her to go ahead of me because I had at least a dozen things to scan. She decline, and I insisted and she moved ahead.
The young shopper turned around and placed a ten dollar bill on top of my items. I said, "Oh no, you don't need to do that," but she wouldn't relent. I just laughed and checked out. I was thinking, I could stand in that line all day for $10 a piece. I was running the numbers in my head and realized at three to four dozen and hour, I'd be rocking. I'd make a nice profit for my efforts. I could start a seminar teaching people how to make a living shopping at Walmart.
Of course I'm just being factious, but here is what I want to show you in that event. I went back to my hotel with my fresh $10 bill in my pocket. When I exited the elevator, I saw a young housekeeper just beyond my room and I felt the Lord tell me to give her the money. I walked over to her and told her how the money ended up in my hand and I told her that God wanted me to give it to her. She looked dumbfounded, but she quickly grabbed the money and said, "Thank you." That was a nice surprise for her and me.
Always be open to surprises because some are loaded with good things. Even if you're like me, and you don't like to be surprised, there is a reason they happen. Some days, you may be the surprise giver and somedays you may be on the receiving end, but be open. Have a great day, and I hope life surprises you today.
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