Then Raguel praised the God of heaven in these words: "Blessed are you, O God, with every holy and pure blessing! Let all your chosen ones praise you; let them bless you forever! Blessed are you, who have made me glad; what I feared did not happen. Rather you have dealt with us according to your great mercy. Blessed are you, for you were merciful toward two only children. Grant them, Master, mercy and deliverance, and bring their lives to fulfillment with happiness and mercy." Then he told his servants to fill in the grave before dawn. (Tobit 8:15-18)

In another translation Raguel prays, "what I expected did not happen."

Whether we expect blessing or wrath, God usually surprises.

A child is born to a ridiculously elderly couple.

A burning bush gives a middle-aged shepherd a world transforming mission.

The savior of the world is born into obscure poverty.

Even more surprising, the son of God is put to death as a criminal.

One surprise after another.

What surprise does God have in store today for you and me?

Above is a stained glass window showing Tobiah, Sarah, and the dog on their wedding night (from the Victoria and Albert Museum). To the immediate left is a 19th Century illustration of the maid looking in on the married couple. To see a larger version you may click on the graphic.