Surprised

It was a surprise how God brought Bill and I together. It's kinda surreal, actually. Bill has been a friend for years. We messaged as friends occasionally as we live hours apart. Bill prayed for me when I’ve gone on missions trips…a dear brother. A year ago I decided to paint a resin pour painting of an underwater scene. I wondered if Bill would like the painting because he told me he loves oceans, fish, etc. and has a huge saltwater aquarium. I messaged him to ask if he would like a painting. Coincidentally, he had just bought a new house and was wondering about getting a Rena painting for his house. It took a year but I finally finished it. I dropped it off at his house on my way to my sister’s wedding.

On the way back from the wedding Bill took me out for a thank-you lunch. Well…we started messaging more often after that…and our friendship quickly morphed into much more. A few months ago, I'm not sure what I said, but Bill had the impression I just wanted to stay friends. He decided to back off and go back to our sporadic friend messages. A couple days after that decision, God woke Bill up at 4 am and told him he would be married by his birthday. What? That seemed crazy. That was a surprise thought.

Bill said, "God, if that's really you, I need confirmation". I messaged him a few hours later and asked if I could ask him a question. It was a random question. He said sure, and was shocked when I asked, of all the questions in the world, "When's your birthday?" He knew that was the confirmation he asked for. We feel now like God has been orchestrating and moving us towards each other for a few years...unbeknownst to us. Surprise!

Guess what? We are getting married on my birthday. July 21st. A few days from now. We only have vague ideas where this road where are on is headed...but we know God is leading so it's all good. God seems to love surprises so we are excited to see His plans for us unfold. This next surprise I want to tell you about happened thousands of years ago. There's a surprise ending to this blog that involves you so please keep reading.

Imagine what it may have been like when God surprised Adam with a wife. As God walked in Eden in the cool of the day with Earth’s first man, they may have chatted about the vast array of animals in the garden. It was a huge honor Adam was given—to name all the animals. I wonder if he asked God about the obvious fact that all the animals had a mate except him? Was there an aching awareness that something vital was missing? Is that when God turned to Adam and said, “I have a surprise for you, Son. Close your eyes."

How long those eyes were closed is not recorded, but we are told God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man. As he slept, God removed part of Adam...maybe one of his ribs...maybe more. Part of him was now incomplete. God didn’t take a bone from his feet to create a woman to be walked on. The bone wasn’t from Adam’s head so she would be above him, but beside his heart, where she would be close to his side to be loved and cherished.

God’s surgery must have been amazing. He closed up the flesh from Adam’s wound, and used the rib to create a woman. I know. That is far beyond our comprehension. However, if the Bible says the One who created the Heavens and the Earth and holds everything together by the Word of His power created a woman from a rib, I have no doubt that’s exactly what happened.

God must have had great joy creating Eve. She was the crowning jewel of His creation. I can just imagine the excitement He had as He invited Adam to open his eyes. Adam knew instantly who this beautiful creature was. I wonder if he cried as he said, “This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man.” I can imagine God’s joy as He said, “Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh...” Such a beautiful surprise for Adam. Earth's first wedding

It's interesting the Bible opens with a wedding...and closes with a wedding. Did you know you are invited to that final wedding? "Let's rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let's give the glory to Him, for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7) Can you imagine how beautiful it will be when the King of kings and the Lord of lords marries His beloved? Do you want to hear something even more amazing? YOU are invited to be that beautiful bride. I don't understand it either...how could millions of people be a bride? I don't know...but again, if the one who breathed life into the first man and created a woman from his rib says it will happen, I believe it. The rest is just details. Blessings, Beloved.