Surprise

God has a way of showing up

in unexpected ways and places,

times and faces. Meaning and purpose

for life tend to come when we allow

and maybe even relish the exhilaration

of these unpredictable arrivals.

This requires a high degree of trust.
Some of us are better at this than others.

Most of us, not as good at it

as we imagine. Many of us play

elaborate games, which are actually

antithetical to the practice of trust,

to convince ourselves that we

really know how to trust.

These games include propping up

our security on the overloaded backs

of others and with the trappings

of wealth and technology. Deliver us,

O Lord, from the illusion

of self-developed security and

from imagining that any security

can be had apart from you. Surprise us

once more with your message

of grace and hope! Amen.

© 2011 Todd Jenkins