a sWEET sUMMER
- Anticipation is a Form of Faith
- Look up to Look Forward
- A Test Returns Good news
- We Say Thank You to Partners
The Empire Summer
What we anticipate points to our faith
In the late spring of 1980 – a good 44 years ago – I was itching with anticipation. I was nine years old and the end of a long school year was coming. Longer days of sunlight and the heat was already coming on in south Florida. I was impatient with the last weeks of school, longing for the freedom of summer break. I just wanted the freedom. The release from homework and school. I had dreams of running loose, riding my bike and racing through the neighborhood. There was also a special movie coming out: “The Empire Strikes Back”.
Now, I had seen Star Wars back in 1977 when I was 6 and I had been captivated ever since. It’s hard to imagine in this current world that there had only been one Star Wars movie, only 1 Star Trek movie, only a single Indiana Jones movie … there were no such things as ‘franchises’ with hours and hours of streaming content. There were no books – Star Wars had never been on broadcast TV, and there were no video games. It was just the movie, and you needed to see it in a movie theater. That’s it. Oh, except for the record, The Story of Star Wars record; which I had played endlessly under a blanket fort in my room.
To say I was excited to see the movie was an understatement. The anticipation was real.
For example: I was not a particularly good student, and I had been told that summer school would be required. At one point my mom said that if I didn’t buckle down and do well, I would not be allowed to see The Empire Strikes Back. This threat was an emotional nuclear bomb – I immediately burst into uncontrollable sobs for 45 minutes. In later years, we would laugh about it, but at the moment, I was devastated by the mere threat.
While that movie was a specific event for me, we all can point to many things we have sweetly anticipated over the years. The childish energy of looking forward to an adventure movie gives way to romantic urge of a first kiss, the open door of graduation, or the deep nervous joy of getting married. Anticipation is a real branch of Joy, rooted in a hoped-for event with have faith in.
As a Christian, we have the hope of an ending that is actually a beginning, and radical promise that we stand on and look forward to. The final experience of moving into Eternal life. It’s a bold, big promise that we often tuck over the horizon and don’t consider on a daily basis, even if the sky is lit above by that coming dawn. We keep our heads down on the worries we have, keeping our eyes on each step of our daily tasks, rarely looking up at the colorful sky filled with God’s hope and presence.
We should be waking up anticipating that God not only has a future secured for us, but a present where He is our companion, guide, defender, and provider. He walks beside us with an abiding presence that offers comfort. He offers direction for our tasks and priorities that is balanced and wise. He is willing to protect our heart and mind from accusations and condemnation. And He actively provides for our lives through his providential work. These are all reminders I have encountered over the past few months.
Last week I got good news on a test – It showed no signs of cancer in my blood. This new test was a new baseline to measure early signs of a re-occurrence, and it did not change the fact that I am still in chemo- and immunotherapy, but there was a wave of emotion to wash over me. It was anticipation. Hope that I can be done with therapy soon. Joy that I can move on away from treatment. Hope that the dark side of anticipation – dread – might recoil from the light of God’s mercy.
The road through the night is still long, but I hope the path is now lit by a coming dawn.
On the other side of anticipation is gratitude, and I have much to be grateful for. Even as we travel the latter road through treatment, we have been blessed by so many to help us in fighting the financial battle. This front in our struggle has been greatly aided by so many allies that have come to carry a little of the burden, and so do a great work all together. It has been an incredibly humbling experience to have to raise your hand and ask for that help, but we have seen so many people offer in their generosity. Words are so inadequate, but we offer them anyway. Simply Thank You. We still have a way to go, but God has been good through his people.
So, go enjoy a summer drive with the windows down and catch the scents of the road. And wonder what amazing thing God has around the corner for you. I testify that God is rich is mercy and is willing to do good things for you. As long is there is breath is your lungs, let the light of the coming dawn color your world with anticipation.