When God Surprises You with a “Yes”

When God Surprises You with a “Yes”

How one text led to an oasis we didn’t know we needed.

In 2022, we got a completely unexpected text from someone we didn't know super well at the time.
They were inviting us on a paid trip to New York. Yes—flights, hotel, meals, everything covered.

Steve was understandably hesitant. “It sounds too good to be true,” he said.
And I mean… same. But something in me said, “Let’s just say yes. What’s the worst that can happen? Maybe it’s some pitch or sales thing—and we can just say no.”

So we said yes.

Turns out, it wasn’t a pitch at all.
It was a gift.
The trip was hosted by Balsamo, a nonprofit ministry that serves pastors and leaders by giving them what they call “an oasis”—a place to pause, breathe, and let God refill their cup.

We spent several days in New York City with 50 other couples, all in ministry, all pouring themselves out for others.
And for the first time in a long time… we were the ones being poured into.

We were still so new to pastoring at the time.
Honestly, we felt out of place. Unqualified.
There were pastors in that room who had decades of ministry under their belt.
We kept thinking of all the others who probably “deserved” this kind of trip more than we did.

But grace doesn’t choose based on experience.
And God delights in surprising us.

Juan and Catherine, the couple who invited us, chose us.
But ultimately—it was God who did.

He saw us.
He knew what we needed.
And He was generous enough to send it through the most unexpected text.

That trip to New York changed us.
And the next year, in 2023, we were invited again—this time to Hawaii.
Two trips. Two reminders.
God loves to refresh His children.
He loves to give good gifts—even when we think we haven’t “earned” them.

Since then, we’ve become part of a beautiful community of faith-filled, ministry-hearted people who not only serve others but also make space to believe God for the miraculous.
For healing.
For restoration.
For joy.
And yes—even for a little spoil me just because You love me kind of moment.

Because the truth is:
God doesn’t just sustain us—sometimes He surprises us.

And when He does… say yes.