Anticipation...

Anticipation

I have been in education for 24 years. Of those 24 years, thirteen years I also taught at the college level. There have been many questions that I get every year, but one in particular. "Mrs. Lowrey, do you think it's going to snow?" (Side note here, some of my students call me "Dr. Lowrey". They think it is cool they have a teacher who has a doctorate. I love that.) Even at the college level, the students would ask the same question at least once during the year. I don't care how old you are, there is an anticipation of snow. For some, it is dread, for some it is routine, and for others, it is a rarity that only comes infrequently and is a source of anticipation and joy. I know at this point, there are some people who would say they never experience snow and don't know what it is like. However, for my part of the world, it is a yearly anticipation that sometimes will happen and at other times is forecasted, but doesn't come to fruition leaving many children disappointed and quite a few adults relieved.

As we are forecasted a snow that may be much more than we have seen in a very long time in this region, the anticipation is growing. Students are becoming excited, my husband is beginning to fret, and I look on with amusement. Oh sure, I know we have to make this day up at school. I understand the worries farmers and many experience during these events. But, for most of the students, this is a treasured time.

You see, we as Christians also have anticipation for what is to come. But unlike the snow that is forecasted and may or may not appear, our anticipation is certain. We have an anticipation of Heaven. It is a certainty, scripture assures us of this, and we look to that day with anticipation. When we become ill or get older, we look to that place with a different anticipation. We know that we are closer, although as humans we never truly know when the Lord will send His angels and bring us home. Someone told me a short time ago that they knew they were still here for a reason. God still had something that needed done before He called them home. That is precious anticipation, but understanding.

Papa, my father-in-law, had a verse he would quote often. John 12:2-3 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." 2 Peter 3:13 says, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." We anticipate, like the students anticipate the snow, a new home. Heaven. We know God will keep that promise as it is written in John 12:2-3. We will be with Him in Heaven. But as long as we are on Earth, we have a purpose, a reason, and an anticipation of what He will fulfill in us until He calls us home.