The Unexpected Guest
The Gift
Do you like gifts?
I reckon you probably do. But the question is what is a gift?
Of course, we all recognize a gift wrapped in pretty paper and handed to us.
However, do we recognize other gifts?
As you know I’m presently immersed in a course, and the gifts just keep on coming.
A gift that I’m especially focused on is the gift of the unexpected guest.
You might ask, “What is an unexpected guest?”
Well, dear, it’s anything or anyone that is unexpected - a flat tire, a delayed plane, an unsatisfactory health report, a surprise visitor, rain, a bad hair day, an inexplicable funk, or even a perceived slight.
In this glorious course, we are given the opportunity to perceive all the unforeseen as unexpected guests.
How Would You Treat an Unexpected Guest?
If you’re like most folks, which I suspect you are, you’d probably treat a guest with courtesy, respect, and graciousness.
But what if your unexpected guest was a delayed flight or a flat tire, what about an unsatisfactory health report? How would you respond?
What if there’s more to the unexpected guest than meets the eye?
What if that unexpected guest is God? (If you’d rather not use the word God, try substituting it with Love or Divine or Spirit, etc.)
“How would you treat that guest if he/she/it were GOD?”
An Opportunity
I’m trying to hook up to a live class today. I try and try to no avail.
My chattering mind takes on a life of its own. I really want to be in this class today. I hate missing out. Why can’t I get this link to work? Ugh!
I huffily stomp away from my computer. Next, I pout, they really should make access to this class easier, then it hits me that this right here is an unexpected guest.
Whoa!
There’s no time like the present… that cliche comes to mind as I halt mid-step.
I huff, okay, how can I treat this unexpected guest as God?
I laugh at my apparent resistance.
My laughter opens my heart, and I begin breathing in my heart then deep into my belly. As my heart's energy expands and my emotions calm, I’m ready to accept the gift.
I’m ready to treat my unexpected guest as God.
Unexpected Gift as God
So…what does that mean to treat our unexpected guest as God?
Here’s what I do.
I chose to see the gifts of missing the class.
Now I have time to run into the village and pick up flowers as part of my husband’s Valentine’s gift, I can watch the recording and pause it when I need to, and I can write about it in my blog.
I do indeed like the gifts.
By choosing the gifts, by choosing the unforeseen as a blessing, I’m choosing my unexpected guest as God.
Our Choice
Please understand that I’m not naive enough to believe that every unforeseen circumstance is as insignificant as missing a class.
Like you, I’ve had my fair share of upheavals.
There have been dire times in my life when I’ve had to call on my ferocious strength.
That strength friend is love. That strength is God.
I know that regardless of how big or little our unexpected guests come - when we turn to Love when we choose to focus on the blessings - we can, even in the midst of tragedy receive gifts from our unforeseen situation.
We can receive an unexpected guest as God.
Inner Joy Compass Prompt:
The next time an unexpected guest (an unforeseen happening) comes my way, I will __________________________.
The biggest thing in my life right now that I would like to see as a gift is ______________________?
The difference this would make in my life is _____________________.
By choosing the unexpected as God, I AM giving myself ____________?
If I were to practice daily for 21 days receiving the unexpected guest as God, it would change my life in the following ways_____________________.
“Life is a gift from God, an unlimited series of opportunities to find the good in ourselves and others. There is good in everything if we are willing to see it.”
Alan Cohen
May we all give ourselves the gift of choosing God as our unexpected guest.
Thank you so much for being here with me.
I appreciate you.
With all my love,
Gloria