In the update department, Ginny & I celebrated Valentine’s Day this prior weekend by meeting up with some great friends. I surprised her with dinner in Branson, Missouri at a restaurant where the four of us had all shared a date early in both of our dating relationships, some 7.5 years ago. It was great fun.
I must admit that Valentine’s Day does not receive the attention that I give birthdays or anniversaries. However, I love giving Ginny surprises- maybe too much. If one were to catch my wife in an honest moment, she might say that I very well may get more enjoyment out of the surprise than she. But you would never catch her in such moment; she loves me too much, and allows me to enjoy my hobby of surprising her.
So, with the knowledge of my Valentine views coupled with her increasing keenness to sniff out my schemes, I decided this Valentine’s would be perfect. I plotted, conspired, and lied my way to surprise her. I got her a car.
***Now, before you nominate me for spouse-of-the-year or begin to compare my gift with the Walgreen’s teddy bear you got for your loved one- just know, that the car I let her drive up to this point did not have heat….so, please, put down the ballot for Husband-of-the-year***
It was beautiful. Totally unexpected. Overboard. All that I could have hoped for. A true surprise.
If the first step is admitting you have a problem- I have a problem. For Christmas, I surprised her with a puppy. His name is Wilson. He’s cute. The verdict is still out on this one. This week, Ginny decided maybe she did like him.
All this because I have realized a few things through my habit. One, I’ll try a million more times if just for one success to get the reaction I got Saturday. I love to take her breath away. I’m more addicted than ever.
There are those experiences in life where you just kind of know that something greater is going on. Everyday experiences that resonate of something beyond this world. I think a true, breathtaking surprise is just that.
My affection for surprise has only been ratcheted up through Eliot. My suspicions tell me that the Lord may be a fan of surprise Himself. In what every parent or potential parent envisions as their nightmare, we found joy- Breathtaking, surprising…joy.
When we found out about Eliot’s diagnosis, we knew the days ahead would be difficult. But we only dared to hope for what we got- a beautiful little boy whom we got to know, hold, and enjoy.
I await the Lord to surprise me again with Himself. Truly, He is always surprising me. Being found where least sought. The Word is full of God’s surprises.
John 1:46 records Nathaniel’s reaction upon learning that the long-awaited Messiah has come- “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
There He goes again. Refusing to follow expectation and surprising with his presence. May you be surprised this week.
Matt & Ginny Mooney
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14 comments:
Thanks Matt for those words. You can keep surprising Ginny and leave me in the dark. Because I think you're right God does like to surprise us and somewhere in His surprises He always seems to reveal Himself in a way that speaks to me only. I love that He knows me that intimately!
But if you want to share your next surprise for Ginny with me....
I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this - not only that you so love your wife, and love to surprise her, but that you transfer that to realizing the Lord loves to be surprised, and surprise us now and then. Your writing is a gift to any of us who venture over here.
And heat in a car - man do you know the way to a woman's heart!
What a beautiful perspective you have been given into the heart of God. What a gift to be able to look with joy at Eliot's sweet life and praise God. The Lord's light shines through in your words.
From the way you write about your wife, I would love to know her. Knowing her sounds like a wonderful privilege.
The way you love her is such a great witness to the people who read your posts. You are both an inspiration.
Happy Valentine's Day :)
Matt - I continue to be encouraged by your words every week...they truly point me to Christ! How true that the Lord loves to surprise us as well. Ginny - I hope you enjoy your new car!
Rachel Wood Norris
How I love to be the surpriser as well. Yet, I am slowly learning how our Lord loves to surprise us as well. Thanks, as always, for your perspective, Matt. May you and Ginny both get a great deal of joy out of this most recent surprise.
Praying for both of you.
wow, you're good, lets see pictures!
Matt, I still nominate you for husband of the year- the whole no heat thing aside.
And I LOVE your perspective on surprises. Honestly, I am surprised by it (pun totally intended) as I have never thought about it that way. I think you hit the nail on the head- God is into surprises.
And that gives me reason to praise Him and eagerly anticipate what He has in store.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
A puppy AND a car- wow! Where do I cast my vote? I got grocery store flowers... Wonderful writing, thanks for helping me to make the connection to the lord.
For several months now I have been reading your blog. I look forward to the email that alerts me you've written because I know I will be challenged and blessed by your words. I believe as you and your lovely wife have walked this painful journey it has revealed the truth of the Holy Spirit residing within you.
Suffering brings us to a fork in the road. One fork ends in utter despair and distance from God. The other takes our despair and leads us to a reliance on the Father that is as it should be.
Pain collapses the walls we so carefully erect around ourselves. But at the moment of collapse God hides us under his tender wing. Excruciating pain covered in compassion, mercy and grace. That takes my breath away!
God is speaking to all of us who read your blog. Thank you Matt and Ginny...and Eliot.
I have never commented before but I wanted you to know that your stories continue to inspire. Thank you Eliot. I have friends who live in Fayetteville. I would love to connect them to you. Who knows...maybe they are already someone you know through church. Thanks for the touching stories and for telling the world how much you love your wife. I see that repeating throughout your posts.
Awesome words and thoughts Matt. You two are the best! Love ya.
I loved every word, but maybe especially the ending thought. Ruth is my favorite book in the Bible. Perhaps that's why?
-=db=-
Ginny, I am so happy for you! I remember every car Thomas and I got as if it were yesterday. Especially the first one that replaced the one with the door that wouldn't completely close. Talk about windy. It was hard to open too though, so safe enough!! (kind of half jammed and creaky) Love you both, Mrs. Carole
Wow, a new car!!! Am I the only one who wants to know what kind????
aunt a.
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