Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20


God is good at "abundant." It seems whenever our Lord is present in something, abundance follows. The best laid plans of mice and ministers are nothing compared to the increase He so often provides. Granted, God is present whether we sense or experience abundance or not. For certainly there are many who call on God to come near and deal with a situation abundantly (either in mercy or justice). And many-a dark night has left people sensing anything but abundant emptiness. Or an over-abundance of questions.

But that does not diminish the joyful moments where God's gracing is so evident. Just like our wedding reception at home (our wedding was so far away from our church family, we wanted to have an alternative so as to share the celebration close to home). It was wonder-filled to see my brother talking to my friend's step-father, or discovering how church friends of mine were childhood friends with a close friend of hers and the joy of their rediscovery; a joy piled onto the celebration of the occasion. Or our college friends, having driven 4-8 hours, reuniting with other friends for the first time. Or our church family striking up conversations with our biological families. Such a collision of the spheres of our lives sent a pulse of curious wonder, with waves of laughter and friendly conversation lapping against the walls.

In other words, never had I glimpsed heaven so closely as I did that day. Indeed, God provided more than our imaginations could have ever captured.