Do Not Be Surprised...

I'm happy!

If I were a superstitious person, which I'm not,  I would be afraid to say anything about how happy I am for fear of jinxing myself.  But I'm happy and I know it and I want to smile a surely show it!!!  I may or may not also be clapping my hands.

When I was getting ready to move to Florida, I was nervous about all the unknowns.  Literally every aspect of my life was getting ready to change (again!) and I had no idea what to expect.  I would be starting a new job after not working a "real job" for the last 5 months.  I would be living in the same town as Tony after only having seen him in person a grand total of about two and a half weeks over these last five months.  I would be living in a place that has a totally different climate than I have ever lived in.  I would be around a totally different people.  I would be far away from all of my friends and family.  I would be attending a new church.  I would have to make all new friends.

It was a lot to think about.

But you know what, my transition has actually been...dare I say...easy!  The first few days were the hardest simply because it had finally hit me that everything was changing and would never be the same.  I missed my family and friends.  But after the second day, (and a good cry) I felt this overwhelming peace come over me.  When Tony asked me to marry him I said yes with peace and joy in my heart.  Before I said yes to Tony, I had said YES! to God's plan for my life and the peace that transcends all understanding fell on me like a warm, fuzzy blanket right out of the dryer.  

I started my new job last Monday and I love it (I'll tell you all more about that in another post)!  Tony's friends have made me feel welcome and loved.  His church family is amazing and I am so excited to be a part of it now.  Tony's parent's and sisters are treating me like one of the family even though, technically, I won't be an Alicea for another few months.  Tony and I are loving that we are finally in the same town and are having an awesome time learning about each other and spending time together.  

Life is GREAT!  Like, seriously super great!

This morning in church as I was worshipping, God gave me this verse:

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

At first I thought I had heard Him wrong because right now my life is anything but a fiery ordeal (unless you count the Florida heat).  But directly after giving me that verse, He said to me...."Do not be surprised at the blessings, favor, peace, joy, and grace you are experiencing as though something strange were happening to you."

Whoa.

That's when I realized that in the joy I am feeling right now, I am having a really hard time expecting more awesomeness.  It's not like I'm biting my nails expecting something horrible to happen, but I do find that I am reminding myself that this joy is only temporary; so don't get too comfy.  It's when life is tough and I'm barely hanging on that I expect more joy, blessings, grace, and peace.

When life is really awesome, like it is right now, why not believe for even more?

We can get so afraid of sounding like we are preaching the Prosperity Gospel that sometimes we hold back just how much God blesses us.  God doesn't bless me exceedingly abundantly so that I can keep all the goodies for myself.  He blesses me so that I can give it away.  He wants me to give away love, joy, peace, understanding, compassion, mercy, grace, and comfort.  I can't give away what I don't have.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that in this life there will be troubles.  We all know that to be true.  Life is going to have it's hard times, but that shouldn't take away from the joyful times we are graced by God to experience.  If all I do is think about impending doom when life is good, then I will have nothing to give to others and I will have no joy for myself.

Do not be surprised when God blesses you.  Do not be surprised by God's power and reach.  Do not be surprised by God's love.

Expect abundant blessings and persevere through the inevitable hardships.  When life is chalked full of awesome...stop worrying about the future and be thankful for right now.

Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love,

A very blessed woman