Anticipation

On the eve of kindergarten graduation and seeing the hopeful end of an overwhelming (literal) end of the year checklist, I'm struck by the contrast of experience regarding anticipation.  As some of you know, this year has been a tough year professionally.  While I've grown as a teacher, I've also witnessed student progress in unprecedented ways.  During challenging weeks in the classroom, I spent countless hours in the evening planning our 20th wedding anniversary trip.  Anniversary planning has provided much joy and encouragement throughout the school year.

With just under 2 days of school remaining, while packing a classroom and our luggage at the same time, the joy of travel preparation is gone.  A common cold makes me sound like a smoker with an increasingly irritating cough.  School and family details keep me focused and stressed.  I've never planned a trip overseas, so I have a long list of worries that keep me anxious, not to mention I have concerns about our girls going to camp in our absence.  Anticipation feels more painful than encouraging, just days before our glorious, long anticipated vacation.

Still, if my worst fears are realized, with eventful travels including missed connections or missing luggage, the expectation of the past seven months has provided nothing but encouragement.  The trip is a success before we even leave the city simply because of the joy of anticipation.

In the midst of a fallen world with challenges and hardship as a guarantee, anticipation of paradise with the Lord provides hope and encouragement to my weary soul.  While earthly pleasures, including desirable travel destinations, may prove to be stressful and possibly unsatisfying, I have no doubt eternity in the presence of almighty God will be overwhelming and nothing but perfection.  My hope and prayer continues to be that Christ lifts my eyes to Him,  His kingdom and to my heavenly destination in profoundly practical ways that bring joy during difficult seasons of life.  His faithfulness continues to astound me as I reflect on this school year and his abundant goodness to me and to the precious students he brought into my life.