Listen

So Abraham hurried to Sarah at his tent and said, “Hurry! Knead three seahs of the finest flour and make some baked goods!” Abraham ran to the cattle, took a healthy young calf, and gave it to a young servant, who prepared it quickly. Then Abraham took butter, milk, and the calf that had been prepared, put the food in front of them, and stood under the tree near them as they ate.

They said to him, “Where’s your wife Sarah?”

And he said, “Right here in the tent.”

Then one of the men said, “I will definitely return to you about this time next year. Then your wife Sarah will have a son!”

Genesis 18:6-10a

Think

I really like throwing surprise parties—planning yummy food and goofy decorations, inviting loved ones, and carefully planning all of the details so that everything runs smoothly. Realistically, something often happens, and the surprise doesn’t go quite as planned, but we laugh and usually have a better time than what I could have prepared for.

We can only imagine Sarah’s surprise in our story. Abraham runs into their tent and tells her to make cakes and then prepares his best cut of meat. I don’t think this was Sarah’s everyday usual routine. Surprise! I wonder what she’s thinking as she catches her breath, exhausted, once Abraham is sharing the feast outside with the strangers.

The surprise doesn’t end there though for Abraham and Sarah. These visitors tell of an incredible blessing to come—that Sarah will have a son. Her deepest longing will be made real by God. When she hears, she is so surprised that she even laughs.

How might God surprise us today? I imagine it’ll be better than anything we could have planned!

Molly Logan

Pray

Gracious and loving God, I know I like to be in control. I like to plan for things. Surprise me today. Remind me that you’re in control and that your imagination and reality of grace are more joyful than anything I could plan on my own. Amen.

Go

Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me.

Psalm 139:1-5

God knows you and loves you.

Receive and live in the reality of that gracious encounter and embrace today.