Nathaniel was surprised by Jesus telling him where He saw him. Jesus had a sense of humour when He told Nathaniel he was going to have much more evidence than that as he had been too easily impressed. Jesus then said to him I am telling you the truth, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
John 1: 47-51 (Sandy’s summary)
The Gladioli bends in its shade. Five poppy pods stand behind unaffected by shade or wind.
This is how I found them,
all in the garden this morning.
These spikes hold flowers well but when Dad Brian told me to close my eyes and put out my hands, its weight and coldness and then sharp nails made me wonder what it was. It was a little gift to me to say thank you for having him to lunch each Sabbath. It is good that it is holding the first of the white Gladioli now in 2022 because white Gladioli corms were what my son and I planted and Dad Brian patiently tied to sticks when we grew them together in his garden. (Brian past away not of covid, he recovered from that but during covid . He was 98.) The Gladioli in his garden are in my post (just press on this underlined part.) Hollyhocks and Gladioli 8Aug2021
Here are some quotes about surprise. I wonder which one you you will identify with most.
Sandy🙂
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as a sorrow or as a joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
Henri Nouwen (A Dutch Catholic Priest 1932-1996)
There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It’s God’s finger on man’s shoulder.
Charles Morgan (British playwright and novelist 1894-1958. As he put it the main theme of his work was ‘Art, Love and Death and the relation between them ‘
Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.
Boris Pasternak Russian poet and novelist 1890-1960
The secret of humour is surprise.
Aristotle
Aw, that’s such a special story about you and Brian. Your right, each day has lovely surprises but we are usually blind and deaf to them. Sad.
Glad you could read it. I am reminded to look for the surprises that help us to be more human without being deceived.
Surprises are underappreciated and I especially like Pasternak’s thoughts about it – and perhaps it is up to us awe well to be receptive to the surprises in our lives and recognise their inherent gift!
Yes, we register a surprise with our senses and are more able to remember. Glad you visited my post. Thank you a nice surprise.🙂