AdventWord::Surprise

Surprise

The egg took me by surprise. I was puttering in my garden, picking strawberries when I noticed it. The blue color striking. The brown dots in line with what I think a Robin might produce. But I'd never expect to see it. I've never seen one in my yard. The Bluejay grasps my attention. This was a moment of God's providence for me. God knows me and that I'm very often surprised by what becomes joy. Things that come from small things, like color, or a word, things noticed, kindnesses, love, eggs.

This thing, sticking with the One who turns the world upside down is a lovely thing. Sticking with Him, takes me to places where I'm startled and confused and surprised. I want to find Jesus as I come along with him, as he has come to me with love. I want to look and listen and find him in the unexpected way.

Here, I live in delight.


God comes to us as a vulnerable human baby to an unlikely couple in an obscure place. And in doing so turns the world upside down. Jesus says: Stick with me even if I am different, confusing, or surprising. I have come, and I am coming to you today with love! Look for me. Listen. I am coming in an unexpected way.

-Br. Luke Ditewig

A Little Birdie

This little guy showed up on a page of my art journal. He makes a sweet writing companion. 

And now, I'm working to find this color. Don't you just want to jump into the page?

The Bluebird of Crabbiness

This little Parrotlet is becoming a little less crabby, a little more happy and a little more willing to spend time on my shoulder or that of her favorite human, my son.

She's learning the routine. Out of her home, into my hand, onto a shoulder, back into her home. Safe. It appears that I learn, again, that relationships take time and time together. She's not so good at Facebook. She seems just to like to be in community once in a while. And she also likes her time alone.

I see.