Unexpected

The kids came busting through the front door on Friday absolutely breathless.

"Mom! Mom!" they called. "We don't have school next week."

I nodded. True. We had talked about it all week. I was surprised that they were surprised by it.

They looked confused. "Well, aren't we going to Grandma's house?"

"No, your dad and I decided you could hang out with us for a week."

"What?!"

"Well, you've been at Grandma's twice since Christmas, I thought we should give Grandma a break," I explained trying to hide my amusement.

"A break? What?"

The two of them looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

When relating the story to my mom yesterday she said they'd been wondering when I was going to call. She assured me that it was fine. If the kids wanted to come, they were welcome. In fact, they had been expected.

So today we packed up the kids after church and Richard drove them to meet mom in Biggar, while I slaved over the finishing touches on an article.

I'm faced with an unexpected break from my kids and I find myself missing them already. Weren't they just gone? Didn't we just get back?

Truth is I haven't had a chance to catch my breath since we got back from Edmonton. And with the hailstorm of assignments it's been a taxing workload to say the least.

I've been praying that through the storm I could feel his calm and feel him caring for me in ways I couldn't even guess or have time to think about or list.

This break might be just what I need as I wrap up several articles. It's like God knew and God provided just the break I needed. Isn't He a great heavenly Father?

He provides unexpected blessings for me. He is so good to me. I'm learning this over and over.

So what unexpected blessings have you experienced recently? Have you been looking? Can you see him peering down from heaven delighting in surprising you?

Listening to: Wow worship 2004 (I know it's not the newsboys! I'm branching out. Today so far I've sampled music by Snow Patrol, Daniel Powter, Tobymac, Casting Crowns, Tait, Building 429 and Tom Cochrane. Is that an eclectic mix or what?)

Assignments pending: 4 yay!