Anticipation...

Have you ever been in a place where you were anticipating something?  A new job?  The birth of a baby?  Referral for adoption?  A special vacation?  That thing that you are waiting for can take up much of your thought life.  As you prepare for it you plan and think through what it will be like.  Depending on what it is, you might even spend money to purchase things for it.  It can be very exciting to be in that place of anticipation.

Last month Stand-Up Dad and I sent our kids on a scavenger hunt around our house.  They searched for clues and figured out Daddy's silly rhymes.  The end result was the very happy news that our family would be traveling to "The Happiest Place on Earth" in a few weeks.

The mood in our house changed that day.  There was excitement in the air!  Our talk was filled with Mickey Mouse and the new "Cars Land" at California Adventure and all the planning that goes with a trip such as this.  The girls wanted to make matching outfits.  The littlest were trying to understand where they were going to sleep all of those nights.  Each day as we prepared, the excitement grew.

When the days before the trip dwindled down to just a few, I didn't know if I could survive the enthusiasm that was soaring through my house like sunlight.  I have always believed that the experience of anticipating an event is part of the enjoyment of it.  

This whole experience of anticipation of our trip to Disneyland caused me to pause and look at other things in my life that I anticipate.  I might anticipate my first cup of coffee in the morning, a change of season, date night with Stand-Up Dad, coffee with a friend (yes, more coffee!:) or the next big event of the week.

All of these things are fine.  But do they last?  Once I have had my coffee, that anticipation is over.  I might have received a new energy for my day, but it is temporary.

Even our amazing trip to "The Happiest Place on Earth" was temporary.  We will have the memories of that trip for our lifetime and that is all.

What if I anticipated my time with Jesus every morning with the same excitement?  What if I spent my thought life preparing for our time together?  What if I looked forward to my home in heaven like our trip to Disneyland?  

 I love spending time with Jesus in prayer and study.  But I want to anticipate my time with him.  I want to seek him with my whole heart and carry the truths that he shares throughout the day like the warmth and joy that sunshine brings.  Time spent with Jesus  only grows my relationship with him.  Nothing is wasted.  There is only the opportunity to be more like him.  It is not temporary, but eternal.


Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We had a wonderful time together at Disneyland.  But "The Happiest Place on Earth" can't compare to the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As the season changes to Fall and I anticipate the colors it will bring, I am FULL of anticipation for the things that God will show me as I seek Him.

Sweet Momma