50 Days of Gratitude: Day 16

We have a tradition of giving the newly born in our family a jack-in-the-box for their first Christmas. We’ve found them with clowns and rabbits and characters from children’s books that pop up at the turn of the handle. We offer them with the wish that life would be full of lovely surprises.

Today, then, I’m thankful for surprises. For the surprise of love when we aren’t expecting it and friendships that last over the decades and handwritten letters in the post and fun memes and GIFs from friends. For the surprise of doing well when we were unsure of ourselves and even of failing when we were confident, which I think builds character in some way or another. For the surprise of a rain shower in the sunshine or snowfall that wasn’t in the forecast. For the surprise of a twisty ending to a book or movie or story.

Today, I’m especially thankful for the surprise of grace that meets us when we least expect it, which is, I suppose, the very definition of both grace and surprise.