Well, it isn’t Monday, but I am back for this. Some of you may get this but for those who don’t, it was just too good not to post!
First, it brings back so many fond memories! I never had the privilege of knowing either of my grandmothers. I am blessed to have known both of my grandfathers, even though I was only five when my maternal grandfather passed away. I remember only a few things about him but I do remember sitting on the ground next to him as he whittled and told me stories.
My other grandpa was a different story! He lived until I was an adult and the precious memories I have during those years will always remain with me. He lived right next to us for many years and I couldn’t wait to see him each day! Expectancy, what a glorious thing!
I often sit at the feet of my Lord. I can’t see Him but I feel His presence. Others can’t see Him but I can introduce them. I feel His unconditional love, just as I did my grandpa’s.
Above all, I anxiously await the time that I will come into His glorious presence! My voice will return and I will sing Holy, Holy, Holy! I know I will stand under His judgement, but I thank Him daily for His forgiveness. My greatest desire is to be just a little more worthy of His love, grace and mercy.
Are you waiting expectantly for His coming?
Pray Unceasingly!!
Lois
Live Expectantly
by Amy Rodgers (Alliance Women- Alliance women’s director for the Great Lakes District of the C&MA)
As a child, I would wait expectantly at the window for my grandmother to arrive. Helping to prepare the home and a seat for her was the most important job that could be bestowed upon me. Barely containing my excitement, I longed to see her long white car coming down the road. Though her skin was aged, leathery, and tan from winters in Florida, I found it soft and cuddly. There was comfort in her kisses and safety in her hugs, which were my rewards. To my child’s mind, she loved unconditionally and could not be disappointed by me. I could not wait to return the love she gave me.
Do we live expectantly at the window for Jesus? Shifting our feet and bouncing up and down impatiently, is there an uncontainable urge to share with Him our gratitude and a longing to fling ourselves into His embrace? We can prepare for His arrival with eagerness, excitement, and expectation as well.
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give it to each person according to what they have done” (Rev. 22:12). God desires that we live with an amazing expectation for the return of Jesus—not to work feverishly with fearful desperation but with a joyful posture of preparing for the Guest of Honor.
Like a child who looks to show their unfettered gratefulness and love, we will be honored to lay our crowns of reward before the King and hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Crowns of righteousness, glory, rejoicing, the imperishable crown, and the crown of life will be given before the judgement seat of Christ. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
Let us rekindle the unabandoned desire to return our rewards to Him, living eagerly and expectantly for His return. Having been given the most important job of preparing for His arrival, we can live as if “waiting at the window.”
Ask, pray, and praise. Father, show me today where I can be the hands and feet of Jesus. Lord, fill me with Your presence, I desire to seek You in all that I do today. Lord Jesus, I long for Your return. I await Your glory. Amen,