Such Anticipation!

The week before Christmas, everyday my children would ask, "How many more days Mommy?" with excitement in their eyes. They anticipated Christmas morning just like so many other children across the globe. They would gaze up at the Christmas lights and shake their presents, dreaming of what was in them.

I started my shopping the beginning of November, buying a few things here and there. There were countless nights that I would leave Wesley at home with the kids after dinner to go shopping. I spent more time stuck in traffic, looking for parking places and waiting in lines. That's not including the countless time spent online shopping and comparing prices amongst retailers. I had my list and was always checking it twice to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. We spent many hours in the attic getting down all the decorations; there's the Christmas tree filled with ornaments and flashing colored lights. The village, lit up along the entertainment center with the little ceramic cars and people. It is our own "Lambertusville" in our living room! And of course there is the nativity along the mantle, a focal point to remind us of the true meaning of the season. In addition to decorating and buying gifts, there is the addressing of Christmas cards and runs to the post office; the endless Christmas parties and making of goodies for neighbors and friends.

So much time put into just one day, into one season; so much expectation for just one morning. There was so much planning and coordinating of schedules to make sure we could see all our family members in one day. Then there is all the after "Christmas planning"; of Christmas dinner and desserts. And lastly, finding time to put away all the decorations and gifts from that one morning.

When it's not Christmas time, so many of us live our lives working Monday through Friday, keeping our eyes focused on the weekend. Once the weekend comes, it is over and we're stuck back in the weekly anticipation of our two day weekend. Anticipation can be a good thing. It gives us drive and a goal to reach for. So often it is what causes that anticipation that can be our downfall. It is easy to become focused on buying gifts and filling the house with lights, that we forget the tiny baby that laid in a manger. Our focus is on earthly things and we forget to look for the things we cannot see.

My question to you today is, what are you anticipating now that the holidays are over? What are you looking forward to with excitement and joy? Jesus tells us in His word, that we are to anticipate His return. He lovingly says that He will come back one day and it is our job to keep our eyes opened, looking for Him. In the book of Mark, Jesus says,

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " Mark 13:32-37

Are you keeping watch today? Are you aware of what God wants you to do or are you too busy living 9 to 5, to focus on anything else? If you are a child of God, you are a servant of His. You are to be standing at the door keeping watch for His return. That's not to say you're not supposed to live your life, just make sure you are living it with His purposes in mind. It is so easy to slip, to let one day go by without reading His word or even praying, except to maybe thank Him for a meal. Before you know it, that one day turns into a week and then a month and then a year goes by. Suddenly you are living your life on your own and not in His will. I urge to make today a better day. Start fresh on examining how you live your life. Ask Him what He wants you to do differently and I assure you, He will tell you in some form or fashion.

Don't wait, don't hesitate, He could be returning at any moment or any time. There is not a second to spare! I pray that you will learn to anticipate His return, just as children anticipate Christmas morning. With as much preparation and planning and time spent into making one Christmas morning special, do the same for Him. It's a new day, a new year and so much can happen if God's people would obediently look to Him and quit being idle in the things of this world.