Do you remember that Ketchup commercial where the actor anticipated the enjoyment of the condiment as it slowly poured from the bottle? That’s the kind of anticipation our family has about snow.
Living in TN means we could get anything from a few flurries to an ice storm during the winter months. Most of the time it’s not cold enough to snow. However, when the weather man predicts snow, like he has for Thursday and Friday of this week, we get all all excited with anticipation!
I dig out the snow boots, gloves, scarfs, and hats as well as the sleds! I want to be prepared and ready to enjoy the snow as soon as possible. I make a run to the store for the usual loaf of bread and gallon of milk, because those are essential items for surviving an accumulating snow fall of 2-3 inches. Mainly, my trip to the store is to get hot chocolate and marshmallows along with a few items that will make a killer snowman come to life.
Then, we wait. We hope. We pray…for snow. And every now and then, the magic happens. As I watch the snow flakes float to the ground creating a white simmering blanket of fun, I always feel that the wait was worth it.
As I write this, I wonder to myself how often I look to God and anticipate His blessings in my life. Oh, I hope for them and I even pray for them, but do I really anticipate them? Do I expect God to answer my prayers? Do I anticipate His goodness and mercy? Do I expect His favor? If I do, I’ll prepare for it as i wait.
The bible tells us that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing; that every promise is ours; that His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives; and that every good and perfect gift comes from heaven above. This means that God’s blessings are certain. They may not always come when we expect or predict them, but they are certain to come. In the meantime, you and I can live in anticipation of them.
I’ve found that I do that by believing what I don’t see. I can’t tell from the sky that it’s going to snow or not, but if the weather man says it’s so, I find myself believing in what I can’t see. The same is true with God. If we believe that He desires to bless us even though we can’t see them momentarily, we will find ourselves anticipating their arrival.
This same method applies to our prayer life. How often do I pray without anticipation. If I don’t get an answer right away, I assume God has said, “no” instead of considering He might just be saying, “wait” or “not yet.” Sometimes, when I don’t get an answer right away, I wonder if it’s because I really don’t expect God to hear and answer me at all. On the other hand, if I believe that He does hear and answer prayer, then I’ll wait and watch with anticipation.
You and I must not give up if the answer doesn’t come today or tomorrow or next week. We should continue waiting with expectancy. When His blessings do come floating down from heaven in the form of–answered prayer, a good health report, or a mended relationship, it will be so worth the wait!
How about you? Are you living today anticipating the good things God desires to give you? If not, you’re already missing a blessing!
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Great post Micca! I was cracking up about the snow and running to the store to buy milk and bread! 🙂 That is all too familiar here too.
I am guilty of not anticipating God and assuming the answer to my prayer is no. Thanks for the great reminder to wait in expectation like David said when he laid his requests before the Lord.
Much love,
Angela
Laura says
Thank you, Micca, for that gentle reminder! I was just arguing with God the other day about how much longer His time is than mine. Don’t you just love to get snowed in , though? Finally, an excuse to stay in (or, in the case of my boys, go out immediately following breakfast and do so in regular intervals throughout the day until my entry way looks like a shop for winter apparal) and snuggle up with a fuzzy blanket, hot chocolate in hand and a good book waiting to be read! I’m anticipating with you! For snow and blessings!
Digging for Pearls says
I smiled as I read this post. I live in PA and we were anticipating snow yesterday and were all excited. We woke to a bear ground. The snow missed us and went north instead. We are anticipating snow later this week. I love snow and always anticipate that we will have a snowy winter. I loved your tie in with anticipating God’s blessings and answers to prayer. Thank you!
Kelly says
This is a great perspective shift for me.