As I write this, I’m driving through the breathtaking mountains of the South of France. It’s one of those spontaneous trips—one I hadn’t planned but found myself on anyway. One of our daughters had to be in London, and, in a conversation, I remembered a friend mentioning that if I ever wanted to go to France, she had a house she let out. And just like that, doors opened, and here I am, thousands of miles from home, soaking in some moments with two of our daughters, in ways I didn’t even realize were waiting for me.
France, by the way, is on the other side of the world from where I live. It takes nearly 25 hours of travel to get here. But here’s what I’ve discovered about life and about God—life is meant to be lived, and opportunities often come knocking when we least expect them. God loves to exceed what we could ever dream up for our lives.
At the end of December, I had been praying about the coming year, asking God what He had in store. Almost immediately, I felt a whisper in my heart—"travel." It caught me by surprise because I hadn’t been seriously planning any big trips. I had watched others set off on adventures—friends and family jetting off to exotic places—and, in passing, I’d told the Lord, That would be nice. But I left it at that, assuming this wasn’t the year for it.
And yet, here I am.
I want to encourage you today—God is in the business of hearing our whispered prayers and working behind the scenes, aligning things in ways we could never orchestrate on our own. He sees your heart, and He delights in surprising His children. Just like a good father who loves to lavish His love on His kids, God wants to bless you—not just in the spiritual and emotional sense, but in real, tangible ways too. Whether it’s an unexpected journey, a divine connection, or the fulfillment of a long-held dream, He is always setting things up for our good.
So, don’t discount how much God wants to bless you. Don’t limit Him with small expectations. As D.L Moody says" If God is your partner, then make your plans big!" Prepare your heart, invite Him in, and trust Him to lead you. As you seek Him and align yourself with His kingdom—His way of doing things—you will find yourself in exactly the right place for His exceedingly more. Life won’t always be smooth sailing, but one thing is certain: God has the final word. He is the giver and restorer of dreams, the answer to every whispered prayer. Trust Him and get ready, because His blessings are closer than you think!
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You see me and know exactly where I am. Please help me to trust in Your love and care, knowing that even when I make plans, or don't bother, You are the one who directs my steps and works everything out for my good. I place my dreams and desires in Your hands today. Lead me, surprise me, and do exceedingly more than I could ask or imagine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Enjoy the holiday! 😀