I hope my seminary degree is not revoked because of this post, since what I am about to say is not necessarily based on God's word. It is just a feeling that I have...that sometimes God looks in on our present circumstances and giggles.
First, a shout out to all my Presbys...put down your Reformed systematic theology books and just hear me out.
I am not saying that God is laughing at us. He does not laugh at our pain, our pranks, or our problems. He laughs because he knows something that we don't know, and that we would never, ever guess! It is a loving laugh, a glorious giggle. It says, "Someday you will be back here and remember what happened here years ago and you will just be amazed at all that I have done!"
This morning, for instance.
The Burwells try to visit Good News Church at least once a year because it is pastored by our dear friends (who introduced us!), Drue and Laura Warner. Today, the church met at the Payne-Corley House in downtown Duluth. For longtime friends and family, that should sound familiar. On April Fool's Day of 2005, we made our marriage vows there. It is a delightful Southern home-turned-wedding-venue. This morning was the first time that I had entered its doors since our wedding day. We forced the kids to have a special moment with us after the service, and we took them to the front of the room, the place where we stood more than 18 years ago. We took a picture. All I could think of is that all those years ago, God saw us and said, "Hee hee! Oh goodness, you will be back in this room in two decades, still in love, with four amazing children with you! You will have more poundage, more wrinkles, and a thousand more stories of My faithfulness to you." I mean. He is amazing.
It happened earlier this week as well.
I spent most of the last 7 days lounging on the beautiful, sugary sand of Panama City Beach. Beside me was my (almost) 12-year-old Alana. It is the third summer that we have taken a one week beach trip together. It was the first time that I have set foot on PCB since 1999, if memory serves. We stayed at a condo almost across the street from where I have stayed in the past. Fun fact: I spent 1-2 months at Panama City beach in 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. I worked with Campus Outreach ministry and we held "summer beach projects" there. I can remember many moments on those beaches where I talked with God about my life. "Lord, where is the love of my life? Hey, I'll take a decent date! (I was feeling a bit desperate in 1998 and 1999.). Are you going to let me be a wife and mom? Why is it taking so long? (because at that time, 25 and single was like way-over-the-hill!). " I could not hear God's giggle then, but no doubt he was laughing. "Hee hee! Oh goodness, you will be back on this very spot on the beach in a couple of decades, married to your Dream-Come-True, and vacationing with your daughter, who brings such joy to your life."
I suspect God giggled as I passed Troy Burwell in the church hallways 100 times before I actually met him! And how about when I was in my teens and singing love songs to someone I did not even know yet...and now I play those same songs (my "80's power ballads playlist") and sing them to the one in the seat beside me. I can remember when I was at 7:22 (a Northpoint Church singles event from years ago) praising God with a loud voice, and just a few rows away, there was my future husband, doing the same. And I did not even know he was there. But God did, and I bet he was laughing!
You get my point.
Our amazing God, who sees all and knows all...just wow. We never know what He is up to. We can't necessarily hear his happy laughter at his good plans for us, but I still believe He is cracking up, because he knows the good stuff that is coming.