"Surprise Me — I Trust You"

Sometimes, it’s the simplest conversations that spark the deepest revelations. A couple of Saturdays ago, while working in the salon, a client said something that stirred my spirit and reminded me of how trust and surrender go hand in hand with faith. Here's what happened...

It was a sunny summer day at Heart for Hair Salon and I was finishing up with my second client of the day. She brought hair with her for me to color and have prepared for her next appointment. Before she left, I asked if she wanted me to send a photo of the final color before her appointment or if she wanted me to surprise her.

Her response caught me off guard:“Surprise me. I trust you.”

That moment hit my spirit deeply.

It made me think about my relationship with the Lord.

How many times have I said that to God?“Surprise me. I trust You.”Sometimes, not as often as I would like to.

In the moments when I have fully trusted Him — I mean truly surrendered, not trying to control or manipulate the outcome — I find it much easier for me to allow God to surprise me. And when He does, it was always better than I could have imagined.

But in the seasons when I’ve struggled to trust, I’ve noticed something: I tend to grip tighter, try to "help God out," or rush ahead of His timing. In those moments, I’m not leaving any room for Him to move and lead. I’m not giving Him space to surprise me.

That simple exchange with my client became a Holy Spirit whisper. A gentle reminder that trusting God means leaving room for His divine surprises and His leadership.

Remembering Builds Trust

Psalm 103: 1-2 encourages us to,

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

When I look back over my life, I can clearly see the fingerprints of God. Times He made a way when there was no way. Times He provided, healed, restored, protected, and promoted — all without me having to push or panic. He’s never given me a reason not to trust Him. He's proven Himself to be faithful over and over again.

But here’s the truth:We don’t naturally trust what we forget.

That’s why the Holy Spirit reminded me of the importance of remembering. When we remember who God is and what God has done, we build the muscle of trust. And that muscle gets stronger each time we use it — especially in areas where trust doesn’t come easily.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”— James 1:2-4

Trusting God = Submitting to His Timing

Sometimes we’re tempted to act out of impatience. To "make something happen." But often, impatience is just distrust in disguise. It’s our flesh saying, “God, I don’t think You’re going to do it — at least not how or when I want You to.”

But when we truly say, “Okay, Lord… surprise me”, it communicates something powerful:I trust Your plan. I trust Your process. And I trust Your timing.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”— Proverbs 3:5-6

There is always something God is doing in the process of our waiting. And even when we can’t see it, He’s working. Even when we don’t understand it, He’s weaving something together — not just for our blessing, but for our growth.

So here’s the challenge:The next time you're anxious, uncertain, or tempted to take control or act out of impatience, pause. Remember His faithfulness. Take a deep breath. And say with confidence...

“Lord, surprise me — I trust You.”

Let that be your posture of faith. He’s never failed you before, and He won’t start now.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are there areas in your life where you’re struggling to trust God? Transparency deepens intimacy.  Process and share how you are feeling with the Lord. Invite Him into the space of your feelings and thoughts and allow His love to silence your fears/worries. God cares and wants you to be honest with Him.

2. Can you look back and remember moments where God surprised you with His goodness? What do these moments remind you about God? How did this moment deepen your relationship with Him?

3. What’s one way you can actively say, “Lord, surprise me — I trust You” this week?

Abiding Prayer:

Lord, help me to trust You more. Even when I can’t see the outcome, let me rest in the truth that You are good, faithful, and always working on my behalf. I surrender my expectations, my timeline, and my need for control. Surprise me, Lord — I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.