I drove down to Evansville today for my regular assignment with a client in the area. I got off a little earlier than I was planning and so I decided to take my time and enjoy the solitude of the trip. I took a back route and ended up taking a few small county roads in the hopes of finding new areas that I was not familiar with. I wasn’t disappointed. I passed through one small town that had an old cemetery from 1835 and from the names on the headstones, it was easy to spot the families that had started the town. Several of the families still had businesses in the area and I couldn’t help but wonder what life was like in the early 1800’s right after Indiana became a state. How far we have come but it was good to know that there was some continuity in the community, even after 180 years.
I also stopped by another town that had a small mercantile shop on its short “main” street. Not only did the place sell several food items, but there was a small pool hall in the front and an antique store along one wall. It was quite something to behold. As I was browsing the shelves, I noticed a brand of soap that my grandfather used to clean his clothes in the workshop of his home when I was a young boy. I had to buy a bar based strictly on my childhood memories. And then, much to my surprise, I spotted something I have never seen before. Sure enough, it was a bag of marshmallows – and I don’t mean just any marshmallows. These were made specifically for making s’mores. You know, with graham crackers and chocolate heated over the campfire or fire pit.
Now this discovery was particularly remarkable. You see, all four of our grandsons love to sit out back and cook marshmallows and make s’mores after dinner. In fact, I roasted marshmallows with Drew, our youngest grandson, several evenings ago and now, here were special marshmallows made for just our purpose. Now I don’t know if I have had my head in the sand for years or what, but I was genuinely surprised – I have never seen these before. So, you guessed it, I bought a bag to bring home and cook with Drew for Tuesday night. Who would have thought? Such a little thing – but something that will bring so much joy to a little boy – and let’s not forget his grandfather, who in some ways is still a little boy at heart!
I thought about how the same thing is true in my relationship with God. It’s not the things that I expect, but the little things that I don’t expect that bring real joy to me. It’s the little pleasant surprise when I am having a tough day – or a kind word from someone when I am a little down. Maybe it’s seeing a friend when I am feeling a little lonely. It may be getting done a little early, or shopping for something specific in a store and finding that it is on sale…
All these things bring insignificant financial reward, but are heartfelt in terms of what they do for my spirit and outlook on life. That’s the way it is with God. Rewarding in small, unexpected ways. The verse for this evening is from Jer. 14:9, “Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, O LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!” My encouragement this evening is that God will send you unexpected surprises during your life. My prayer is that you will acknowledge the source of all those small joys and even if it is something as insignificant as a rectangular marshmallow, you will give thanks for the treat! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…