Unexpected Blessings

Yum!” Anna was enjoying another bite of her favorite pasta dish for dinner when, suddenly, Mother announced a plan.

“We’re going to have a party on the beach on Sunday to celebrate your 10th birthday!”

“Hooray!” Anna beamed. “Can Elena come, too?”

“Of course, dear,” Mother replied.

Elena was Anna’s best friend and they both loved to swim and have fun together. Mother had invited Elena’s family, and they agreed to join them that day. Some friends and relatives were coming, too.

“Oh, Mom, I can’t wait till it’s Sunday!” Anna was excited as she thought about having fun on the beach. They just finished preparing for their outing when Anna unexpectedly came down with a nasty cold and fever on Friday afternoon. Her father and mother were worried their daughter wouldn’t get any better until Sunday. The doctor told them that she needed to stay in bed for the whole week.

When Anna’s birthday came, she was still in bed. Except for some sniffles, her fever was gone. Still, she stayed in bed until she was well enough to move around the house.

“Surprise!” Mother hollered as she showed Anna the small and big packages that were nicely wrapped and neatly piled on the table in their living room.

“Are these for me?” Anna curiously asked.

“Yes,” Mother answered, “coming from all the people who love you!”

Anna never really expected to receive anything when her birthday was over. Overwhelmed with joy, she eagerly read the names and opened each gift, grinning from ear to ear.

Anna was so sad. Her parents were a little bit troubled. They had no choice but to inform their relatives and Elena’s family about the predicament. They prayed hard that Anna would get better on her birthday, but that didn’t seem to happen.

On Saturday night, a special report was announced on TV. A big storm was about to hit the beach area where they were supposed to be going, close to where they lived.

“What a coincidence!” Father declared. “God must be telling us something. Maybe it is not a good time for us

“Oh, well,” Father said, “sometimes life never turns out the way we plan or imagine, but I guess we must always be on the lookout for hidden or unexpected blessings, . . . for which we all need to praise and thank God!” to go!”