Surprise!

Have you ever noticed God’s gifts sometimes show up in strange places or at surprising moments in time?

This past summer, we fostered a dachshund puppy. She struggled with potty training and no matter what we tried, she would wake in the middle of the night and NEED to go out to do her business. Yes, yes…we tried crate training–it just didn’t work for us/her. We probably didn’t do it right.

So most nights this summer, we’d wake up in the wee hours of the morning to the sound of a whining puppy. If we ignored it, she’d have an accident.

We’ve been done with the 3 AM feeding stuff for quite a few years, so it was tough to get used to waking up and caring for another when I’d rather be sleeping. And it certainly wasn’t the time of day I’d expect a gift from God.

But sometimes that’s just the way it works out. I think He likes to surprise us.

Our summer schedule was a bit hectic. But at 3 AM, things are quiet. Slow. Beautiful. Walking the dog out into the yard in the middle of the night, grumbling, I discovered something amazing.

Stars. “Billions and billions” as Carl Sagan used to say.

What a gift. I wouldn’t have thought to take a moment out of our busy summer schedule to step outside and look at the stars. It took puppy whines to MAKE that happen.

And I got to do that many times this summer. Wake up, grumble, walk out and stare in wonder at the sky.

Of course, the pup usually finished her business quickly and wanted to go back in. Then she grumbled.

As I stared at my gift.