“Groundhog Day” also happens to be my husband Tom’s birthday.  This year, after four days of “polar vortex” (sounds like a funky fingerprint), neither groundhogs nor people felt like venturing outside to seek their shadows.

But, I had planned a major milestone surprise birthday party for him, and refused to give up on it happening.  Using Sat. evening youth group meeting as a cover, I’d conspired with a few youth and adults to get everything ready for what he didn’t expect.

Then we all watched and prayed—literally—watching to see if it would warm up and praying the event wouldn’t be cancelled due to icy roads.

Thank God—they got the road into our church building cleared out by late afternoon—the party was still on!

I knew the plan.  I knew a lot of people of all ages would be “lying in wait”, poised to spring up and shout “Surprise!” as soon as we opened the door.

Tom didn’t know the plan.  Later, expressing his thanks for such a fun party and outpouring of love, he shared how he felt, venturing out in faith and faithfulness, not knowing if anyone would make it to “youth group”–

The building looked so dark, so desolate.  He knew his standing with God didn’t depend on how many youth showed up, and wouldn’t blame people for being scared off by the cold weather and potentially icy roads.  But still, it would be nice if someone came– even a few…

I darted in and alerted folks to our presence while Tom grabbed a box of Bibles from our trunk.  Then he opened the door…

A flick of the switch changed everything—LIGHT!  Lots of people!  Color!  Life!  “SURPRISE!”

Tom was no longer “left in the dark” about how much we all love him.  Including the ones who couldn’t come.  His perspective totally changed when he entered the building and the lights turned on.

This reminds me of Psalm 73.  In it, the author freely vents to the Lord about the “raw deal” he’s been getting in life—trying so hard to do right, and seemingly getting nothing for it, while a bunch of jerks and evil-minded people are living it up and “getting away with it”.

He’s still bummed out, can’t understand, and fuming over the injustice of it all—

“…Till I entered the sanctuary of God…” (Ps. 73:17).  As soon as he did, the “lights turned on” in his thoughts and feelings, and he realized the truth:

~“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” (Ps. 73:1)  It may not always seem like it, but He really is good to us.  We just need to clean our hearts enough to see it.

~“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” (Ps. 73:23)  He’s not letting go. We need never fear abandonment or rejection.  Nothing can ever separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38-39)

~“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Ps. 73:25)  Yeah, it may be tempting to envy all those “fat cats” who seem to have it all.  But their “good life” is short-lived.  It’s also nothing compared to what we have now with the Lord, let alone what we’ll have in heaven just by being with Him!

~“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps. 73:26)  It’s easy to lose heart, and have our health sapped by discouragement.  But God infuses us with a “heapin’ helping” of His strength that gets us motivated and going again.

~“…it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (Ps. 73:28)  Let’s “get closer to the spout where the glory comes out!” – in other words, stay near God, the Source of all goodness, love, holiness, blessing, healing, and empowerment.  Plus, when we’re right next to Him, He protects us “under [His] wings” (Ps.  91:14).

Ultimately, we see all His goodness, greatness, love, etc., by His deeds— stuff He does that we can’t wait to tell about.  It’s exciting and encouraging to spread this kind of news and relive those deeds in the telling.

Like my husband did when he told long-distance family and friends about his surprise party.  Like I’m doing, writing and sharing this blog post.

Like we can all do once we “get our heads (and hearts) straight” by “entering the sanctuary”— realizing His presence and adjusting our perspective from His viewpoint. Trusting that He made and knows the good plan, even when we don’t.