The Simplest Service: A Spontaneous Surprise Reflections by Swanette
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
"Sometimes the greatest acts of love aren't grand gestures, they're simply showing up."
Life has a way of reminding us that time is precious.
Sometimes the greatest service we can give someone isn't money, gifts, or elaborate plans.
Sometimes it's simply our presence.
A spontaneous trip.
A surprise visit.
A shared meal.
A laugh around the table.
Those are the moments that become treasures.
Recently, my sisters and I, the “Goodwin Girls” , decided to surprise our parents. It was the spur of the moment, and looking back, it became one of those memories we'll cherish forever.
Our parents have quite a story.
After nearly fifty years apart, years of divorce, separate lives, and different journeys, God brought them back together. Three years ago, they remarried, reminding us that God's timing is unlike our own and that redemption has a beautiful way of rewriting stories.
This surprise wasn't just a visit.
It was a celebration of family.
It was choosing togetherness.
It was making time for the people who matter most.
When we arrived, Daddy was home.
The moment he realized we were standing there, he looked at us with that familiar smirk and said,
"Y'all ain't right."
We all laughed because we knew exactly what he meant.
He wasn't upset.
He was delighted.
Mom had gone to the store, so we waited patiently for her to return.
She was taking longer than expected, so I called her while she was driving up the long driveway. My baby sister and I stood outside while my twin sister was already inside helping get breakfast started.
Mom kept talking on the phone, trying to figure out why there was a black car in the driveway and who those people standing in her yard could possibly be.
Then she realized...
It was us.
All her girls.
Her expression changed instantly.
She looked at us in complete shock but surprised and, just like Daddy, said,
"Y'all ain't right!"
We laughed until our sides hurt.
Growing up, it was always Mom and her girls.
To see all of us together again with both of our parents was something to cherish and celebrate this “Timeout” together.
It felt like a gift.
The rest of the weekend wasn't filled with extravagant plans.
It was filled with the simple things.
Mom joined my twin in the kitchen as they cooked breakfast.
Later, she prepared one of those meals only a mother can make with more food than anyone could possibly eat, served buffet-style with love in every bite.
We sat around the table talking, laughing, catching up on life, drinking sweet tea, later on eating popcorn, watching television, resting, and simply enjoying one another's company.
Outside the dining room window, we watched God's beautiful creation.
Deer quietly wandered near the house.
Birds sang.
Squirrels darted through the yard.
Mom softly called out to one of the young deer,
"Come on, baby."
As if it understood her voice, its little ears immediately perked up.
I went and got my camera to capture the moment while smiling.
God's creation has a way of slowing us down and reminding us of His goodness.
The next morning, we watched church together online.
Then we shared Communion together.
That moment reminded me that faith, family, and fellowship are gifts we should never take for granted.
As we packed up to leave and made the four-hour drive home, we noticed several unusual birds wandering freely in the driveway.
We jokingly thought the neighbor's turkeys had escaped.
After I sent Mom pictures later that evening, she laughed and told us they weren't turkeys at all they were guinea fowl.
We learned something new...
And laughed all over again.
Those little moments became some of my favorites.
This trip reminded me that life isn't always about planning the perfect vacation.
Sometimes the most meaningful memories come from simply deciding to go.
To show up.
To sit together.
To eat together.
To laugh together.
To worship together.
To love one another well.
Time moves quickly.
It never waits for anyone.
Every day is a gift, and every opportunity to be with those we love is a blessing we should never take for granted.
What may seem like a small act of service, a spontaneous visit, a shared meal, an afternoon spent talking may become one of the greatest gifts you ever give.
Sometimes the simplest service becomes the sweetest memory.
So here's my encouragement:
Take the trip.
Make the phone call.
Plan the surprise.
Gather around the table.
Laugh until your stomach hurts.
Watch the deer.
Listen to the birds.
Cherish the ordinary moments, because one day you'll realize they were extraordinary all along.
Here's to loving, laughing, and living.
Here's to spontaneous surprises.
Here's to making time for the people God has blessed us with.
Love you, Mom and Dad. I may add we talked about y’all on the way home and laughed some more.
With all our love,
Your Goodwin Girls.
"Loving • Laughing • Living"
Still becoming... take the “TIMEOUT”
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