“It’s gonna’ be great, it’s gonna’ be wild, it’s gonna’ be full of Me!” – Shekinah Glory

Some of the friends who shared Akhil's birthday party on December 30th, 2012
Last month, I planned a surprise birthday party for Akhil. It was just what he needed to lift his spirits after deciding to leave the workforce after 28 years to focus on his family and his health. I had the help of many people to make the party successful but each person was privy to only a small part of the plan because someone else had the big picture. No one but the planner really knew how the party would play out.
Akhil doesn’t like to leave the house much anymore simply because it has become such an ordeal so I knew I would have to give him a compelling reason to want to go somewhere. I knew Akhil would go anywhere for the children so Ashley excitedly told him that she was asked to perform in place of a musician who cancelled at the winery where, unbeknownst to Akhil, I was having the party. Akhil was anxious to see his daughter play, so much so that he began inviting people to join him!
The night of the party, Akhil had his own set of expectations – to sit in the back of the winery and proudly watch his daughter perform with a handful of friends he had asked to join us. He got that and so much more than he ever could have imagined. He was surrounded by many good friends who shared the experience with him. Not only did Ashley perform, but so did Corinne and Jordan. Akhil was uplifted by all of the encouraging words his friends shared about him. The evening far exceeded his expectations.
You know where this is going right? If only we would be open to where He wants to lead us, we could enjoy the party that God has prepared for us. It would far exceed our expectations and as we get excited about where we are headed, we could take other people with us. Unfortunately, we tend to get so attached to our plans that we don’t give God any room to surprise us. Be willing to let go of your plans and let the master work out His plan for you, it will be far better than you ever could have imagined.
Akhil doesn’t like to leave the house much anymore simply because it has become such an ordeal so I knew I would have to give him a compelling reason to want to go somewhere. I knew Akhil would go anywhere for the children so Ashley excitedly told him that she was asked to perform in place of a musician who cancelled at the winery where, unbeknownst to Akhil, I was having the party. Akhil was anxious to see his daughter play, so much so that he began inviting people to join him!
The night of the party, Akhil had his own set of expectations – to sit in the back of the winery and proudly watch his daughter perform with a handful of friends he had asked to join us. He got that and so much more than he ever could have imagined. He was surrounded by many good friends who shared the experience with him. Not only did Ashley perform, but so did Corinne and Jordan. Akhil was uplifted by all of the encouraging words his friends shared about him. The evening far exceeded his expectations.
You know where this is going right? If only we would be open to where He wants to lead us, we could enjoy the party that God has prepared for us. It would far exceed our expectations and as we get excited about where we are headed, we could take other people with us. Unfortunately, we tend to get so attached to our plans that we don’t give God any room to surprise us. Be willing to let go of your plans and let the master work out His plan for you, it will be far better than you ever could have imagined.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11