July 14th, 2026

Hi Friends,

I knew when I woke up that it was going to be a long day for me. First, I was preaching at another church to help out a friend. Then, at Living Room Church, I was tasked with leading the communion meditation. Following that, a family celebration had been scheduled for one of my nephews, whose birthday was this past Saturday. I was looking forward to it all, prepared for it all — but I had no idea of the surprise in store for me (and you know how hard I am to surprise!).

I made it through the morning with pleasure and joy. After a brief rest in the afternoon, Sharon and I headed to Living Room church. At one point, shortly before the worship was starting, I heard a commotion behind me and turned toward the door. My brother-in-law was backlit by the light shining through the glass wall to the point that he was almost a silhouette but I could make him out. Beside him, was another person I couldn’t make out — a black person, who caused me to do a double take. His skin absorbed the light and he looked like there was a holy glow surrounding his head. And then I recognized him — Enoch Thompson, my dear friend from Ghana!

It turns out the surprise had been planned for four months. Tim had actually asked me to lead communion to ensure that I was at church on Sunday. Only a very few people knew anything. I was totally surprised and totally caught off guard — delightfully so! My schedule and plans for yesterday went out the window as I cancelled everything planned in order to spend the day with my dear friend. As I consider this after the fact (Enoch is about to board a plane to return to Ghana as you read this.), it makes me think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. … Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Unlike my “surprise” (when at least a few people knew of Enoch’s coming), the return of Jesus will catch us all by surprise (possibly even him, according to his testimony). This leads to two critical questions. First, are you hoping for Jesus’ return, even expecting it, or are you continuing along with your life as if there was no such promise from Jesus. 

Secondly, are you preparing for Jesus’ return as if it might catch you off guard, like Enoch’s visit caught me off guard? Elsewhere, Jesus asks plaintively, “When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?” We are to be working at our Lord’s business and becoming like him so that, whenever he shows up, we are living a life of faith on this earth.

I’m so grateful for this wonderful, too brief, surprise visit by my friend! I’m even more grateful for the reminder to be living as if I expect yet another surprise visit — this time from the One who is not ashamed to call me his friend — a visit that will last forever!

Blessings!

Doug