The God of Surprises: Finding Grace in the Storm

Steve O. Alabi

There are seasons in life when everything seems to collapse at once-those bewildering stretches of time when you look up to heaven and say, “Lord, what is happening to me?”

My dear friends in Christ, I want to share a story with you-a story about a whirlwind two months, October to December of this year that felt less like a season and more like a spiritual trial by fire. It’s a deeply personal account, but I offer it in the hope that it might resonate with anyone who has ever felt their foundation shake, only to discover that the hand upholding them was far stronger than they imagined.

Life, as we know, often comes with carefully laid plans. My family had a significant project savings goal that we were steadily moving toward. Then, the earth shifted.

When the Storm Hits

In early October, I received news concerning one of my children-news that was, quite frankly, devastating. It was the kind of blow that doesn’t just cause sadness; it causes instability. Suddenly, the savings earmarked for our special project had a new, urgent purpose. Every penny went toward navigating this crisis.

This situation was not merely a financial inconvenience; it was a profound medical, emotional and spiritual drain. The sheer force of the problem was so destabilizing that I found myself staring at the wall, struggling with the most basic expression of my faith: fulfilling my tithe and charitable obligations.

I remember one Saturday, utterly worn out. I was in prayer, but it wasn't a prayer of hopeful petition; it was a raw, honest declaration of defeat. "Lord," I admitted, "I have reached my absolute financial end. I cannot fulfil my tithe this week, nor my charitable promise. I have nothing left."

The Monday Miracle

This is where the story turns, where we witness the truth of the phrase that graces the title of this article: The God of Surprises.

That Saturday, I was empty. But true to the promise St. Paul gives us in his second letter to the Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9). The power of God decided to manifest itself the very next business day.

On Monday morning, my phone rang. It was an unexpected call. An existing client, out of the blue, called to place a significant new project order. The kind of order that immediately offered a path forward. It was a clear, unambiguous sign: I heard your cry on Saturday, and I am already acting on your behalf.

Immediately, I knew what I had to do. With the unexpected funds in hand, I joyfully fulfilled all my outstanding obligations-my tithe, my charitable giving, everything. It was a leap of faith, a moment of echoing the widow who gave all she had, the 'widow's mite' (Luke 21:1-4). When I was done, I was back to almost nothing.

A New Challenge, A Greater Grace

The ink was barely dry on my bank statement when a new, unforeseen challenge arose: an important, non-negotiable family trip had to be undertaken, bringing with it a huge, immediate financial obligation. It felt like the devil was whispering, “See? Your obedience was foolish! Now you are truly trapped.”

But we are Catholics. We know that trial is not a sign of abandonment; often, it is a sign that a greater grace is being prepared. It is in these moments we must turn to the example of Job, who, despite losing everything, declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

So, on another Monday morning, my family and I gathered for our usual weekly devotions, placing the entirety of the financial burden for this trip at the foot of the Cross. As we were praying, the phone rang again.

It was a client-a new client. We had only just started discussing a potential project, nothing was finalized, the scope of work was still in flux. He told me to come immediately for a payment. A payment for a project that hadn't even begun. He simply felt the prompting to pay me upfront.

Lessons from the Fire

Dear friends, these sixty days-from the devastating news to the initial miraculous provision, and then the follow-up grace for the family trip-have been the most intense, beautiful demonstration of the Catholic principle of Grace being readily available to provide succour for every setback.

The God of Surprises is not a distant, clockwork deity who only operates on our schedule. He is a Father who is intensely involved in the minute details of our lives.

• He Respects Honesty: My Saturday prayer of financial defeat was not a moment of shame, but a moment of profound trust. I was honest about my weakness, and in that moment, His power could flow freely (2 Corinthians 12:10).
• He Honours Generosity: I believe that my immediate decision to fulfil my obligations, even when it left me empty, opened the door for the second, even more surprising blessing. Our generosity-our tithes and alms-are not burdens; they are investments in God’s economy, where the return is often unforeseen and always sufficient.
• He is the I Am: The catechism reminds us that God is "he who is," always present, always acting. He does not wait for us to solve the problem before He steps in; He is already there, preparing the way before we even ask.

If you are currently facing your own two months of trial-a health crisis, a financial strain, or a deep spiritual loneliness-take heart. Do not look at the size of the deficit in your life; look instead to the boundless generosity of the Father. Be honest in your prayer, be diligent in your obedience, and prepare yourself for the inevitable.

Because when you reach your end, that is when the God of Surprises truly begins.

A Prayer for Trust in Divine Providence

Heavenly Father, God of all grace and surprises,
We thank you for the times when we have seen your power made perfect in our weakness.
We lay before you today all the heavy burdens and anxieties that destabilise our hearts.

When the storms of life empty our hands and leave us feeling defeated, grant us the courage to be honest in our prayer, just as your servant Job remained steadfast in his declaration: "Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Inspire us to live according to the Gospel, fulfilling our obligations to you and to our neighbours, even when we have little. Help us to truly believe that our obedience opens the door for your extraordinary provision.

May we always recognise your love, not only in the blessings we anticipate, but most profoundly in the unexpected succour you provide the moment we need it most.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May His peace, His providence, and His unexpected blessings locate you in this season. Amen.

Suggested Reading: Deepening Your Trust

If the story of the God of Surprises has resonated with you, these scriptural passages and theological concepts offer a deeper dive into the reality of God's immediate and loving Providence:

Divine Providence
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 302-308
Explore the Church's teaching on God's plan for creation and how He governs all things with wisdom and love.

Sufficiency of Grace
2Corinthians 12:7-10
St. Paul’s powerful account of his "thorn in the flesh" and Christ’s assurance: "My grace is sufficient for you."

Trust in Adversity
Psalm 46
A hymn of confidence declaring that God is "our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble." A perfect prayer for moments of instability.