Thankful Thursday: Anticipation

I’ve spent the last couple of months anticipating the arrival of state surveyors at one of my facilities.

Every plan I made was “pending state”.

Because when state arrives, every other plan goes out the window. I’ll be in that facility from before breakfast is served to after supper is served. If the facility being surveyed is in another town, I likely won’t be home to sleep in my bed, get on my computer, or spend time with my friends. State puts everything else on hold.

But state has delayed interminably in coming (today marks a day past due), and I’m spent with the anxiety and dread of anticipating a state survey.

Thankfully, I still have a bit of energy left to anticipate a much more exciting event!

This week I’m thankful…

…that God is sovereign over the actions of state surveyors, including when they do and do not come

…that MY LITTLE BROTHER IS COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! (Even if he was a stinker–or the Marine Corps was a stinker–and didn’t let us know until last night.)

…that all the siblings will be together for Christmas. It’ll be the first time all the siblings have been together for anything since September 2010.

…that my little brother’s (newly acquired) girlfriend will also be in town. We’ve known Kaytee for a couple of years now–but they started dating while they were in the Marines, so we’ve never seen them as a “couple”.

…that the Little Miss is starting to scoot–and I get to see her do so this weekend.

…that Jesus Christ Came…and is coming again. The wait for state has made me think of other “unexpected” but “expected” waits–things we know are coming but don’t know exactly when. The birth of a baby qualifies as one. The second coming of Christ as another.

I’m thankful that unlike the dread I associate with a state visit, the coming of Christ (both times) affords nothing but joy for me.

Because the baby who came over 2,000 years ago is the Redeemer who paid my ransom. The King who is yet to come is my Betrothed–and He returns to make the church His Bride.