Eagerly Anticipate
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Hosea 12:6 Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually.
Micah 7:7 but as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
I just listened to my pastor’s sermon this morning, and it was funny how similar our childhoods sounded. We would go to vacation to the mountains, having relatives who lived there with children our ages, and folks my parents had a long and fun history with. While traveling we would whine about ‘how much longer?’ ‘Can we stop for a break?’ But we loved the anticipation. It was just the process which was harder. I so envied Belinda Montgomery being able to twitch her nose and BE THERE.
But, as time has passed, those times, even the rides are remember as fun. My father would go over a winding, narrow, slightly hilly road fast enough to make our stomachs lurch, and we would giggle like that was the best thing, and beg for more. But as part of my pastor’s message, we were on a journey, and we had faith we would have a great time when we arrived, we would arrive safely, and we knew we were loved and all was right with the world. We loved the anticipation of the adventure.
So the message evoked a lot of pleasant memories, which is always good to remember. But the message was also about the faith he had as a child, excited and full of anticipation for the trip. They rarely knew where they would land when they were going on the mountain vacation, but it didn’t matter; it was an adventure and he had faith it would be a good family time. He then reminded us that we walk with God, and we have faith to follow. And for many of us, it’s exciting to think about what our eternity will be. I don’t think it can be fully described in words, although I know John and Daniel have tried to describe it, as well as Hollywood trying to depict it. I believe it’s better.
I like anticipation. Oh boy, the day is finally here! I’ve waited and eagerly looked forward to this day, experience, adventure…. Sometimes, it has been a little disappointing as I built it up more in my mind than what actually occurred, but usually it comes out fine.
But of the anticipation when we were kids going on these adventures were seeing and experiencing parents without work responsibilities, no time crunches or schedules, they were having fun and laughing and giggling like children, and that was a relaxing and novel time.
My parents worked hard, were loving to us and each other, but they were on schedules, and one worked early days to late afternoon, while the other worked midafternoon until midnight, so it was wonderful to see them enjoying other adults, laughing, joking, teasing, remembering their former times together when something had happened. To just listen to the stories and realize these adults could giggle and guffaw and tease was pretty unique. Wow, our parents were not just rule makers, loving caretakers, people who had to work most days, but people who could have a great time!
So, the sermon was special to me today. Actually I got two urgings to write blogs because of the children’s ministry presentation and the pastor’s sermon.
Remember the good times when you had others who showed you love, care, and fun. But have a good journey while walking this path with God. Anticipate! He’s prepared an awesome place for you. His word tells you so, so carry on in faith…anticipate.
Thank You God for the memories that have so touched me and ‘mybellaviews’ today.
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