Pentecost: Expect the Unexpected

Today was Pentecost Sunday... a thought that probably mostly got lost in the shuffle of Mother's Day and the general busyness of early spring.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you." (John 14:16-17 NLT)

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13a NLT)

"Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:3-4a NLT)

I was reflecting as I was driving home from dropping a friend off tonight that in some ways my new "motto" in life has become "Expect the Unexpected." It's a reflection of the way my life has gone lately. The expected just isn't on the table anymore, and when I get up in the morning I never quite know what a day will bring. (For that matter, when I go to bed at night, I never quite know what my sleep and dreams will bring either.)

And then, as I reflected upon this, I was reminded that it was Pentecost Sunday, and that this last year has been one of increasingly deeper encounters with the Spirit of God, and with a growing understanding of that part of my relationship with the Lord.

Expect the unexpected - a lesson that would apply equally well to my spiritual life as to the happenings of day to day life. (Not that they're particularly separate either.)

I'm caught by the idea of the Spirit being at the center of speaking truth. I'm caught by it because of some ongoing things in my life. I'm caught by it because I feel deeply the need to speak truth, and the lack of it in the lives of many, and the harm that it's lack brings.

It's Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit speaks truth, and I am reminded that it doesn't always look like what I expect.

Expect the unexpected!

Reason to Smile

My mom forwarded me an email from my baby brother, T., last night. An email that gave me a reason to smile.

He says "I've played guitar for about 20 minutes each of the last few days, and it hasn't hurt."

Such an answer to prayer. And it makes my heart sing!

Getting Ready

This is a busy day, but I'm excited for it.

I'm still carrying joy and laughter with me.

I'm understanding what it means that I am deeply loved by God and by many very special people.

I'm sitting here, with some newly purchased worship music cranked up on the stereo, and getting ready for the day.

I'm learning that the little things, the self-pampering things are worth doing.

Rubbing sweet smelling cream on dry skin.

Making my hair look beautiful (to me anyway!).

Painting the toenails.

Picking clothes that make me feel good about how I look.

I feel shallow admitting that I care about those things. (There are so many things I care much more about.) But I have to tell you, if I feel beautiful, then it's a whole lot easier for me to face the day.

So, I'm off to finish pampering myself, and to get ready for church, and then to head into the day.

I have errands to do.

I'm going to hit up a second hand shop this afternoon and see if I can find some pants and capri's for work.

I'm teaching Sunday school.

I need to buy flowers for my grandma and make Mother's Day cards for my grandma and my mom (since I forgot to buy them yesterday!).

We have an extended family party tonight - Mother's Day and two birthdays.

And then, I have to pick my roommate up at the airport late tonight.

(I bought some really fun new clothes yesterday... I might take some pictures and post them later...)

See you around!

and...

Happy Mother's Day!