A Year of Anticipation

Lisa Jordan sharing with you this morning! 

I’ve read different posts on Facebook about how 2017 is going to be somebody’s great year!

I can understand the desire for a fresh start with a clean slate, especially if the previous year stole your joy, your hopes, and caused a lot of pain.

For me, though, January 1^st seemed like any other day. I didn’t have an overwhelming desire to make a long list of resolutions. In fact, I don’t make resolutions at all.

Instead, I chose one word as my key focus for the year. I use this word in my prayers, my journaling, how I approach my relationships, and in my careers—I have a day job in addition to writing novels.

I’ve done this since 2009, and it’s made a difference in how I approach my dreams and the goals I put in place to make those dreams happen.

For 2016, I chose Thrive as my word. I wanted to Thrive in my health, in my relationships, and in my writing. Ironically, my health took a downturn and I spent the summer in crippling pain. My writing didn’t thrive the way I had anticipated and mapped out. However, several relationships strengthened. And God was with me the entire time—during the pain, during the disappointments, during the celebrations.

This year I’ve chosen Anticipation. Originally, I had different words in mind—joy and courage, which I had melded into courageous joy, but during our Christmas Eve service, our pastor spoke about Anticipation. He said, “Turn anticipation into participation to give God the opportunity to move in our lives.”

God whispered, “That’s your word—anticipation.”

At that moment, I felt such peace.

I’ve pondered my dreams and outlined goals for 2017. Moving beyond my comfort zone requires some stretching, but that’s the only way we grow, right? I’ve chosen a new adventure with my writing. I’m facing a fear in my day job and stepping out in faith to achieve a new milestone.

So what does anticipation look like for my year? I have no idea. But I know with God leading the walk, I have nothing to fear. I will go wherever the Lord leads me because that participation, even if I do feel fearful, will give Him the opportunity to move in my life. Since He knows what’s best for me, that’s the ultimate goal for anyone.

Your Turn: Do you make resolutions? Do you choose a word as a focus? Perhaps you create goals? Or maybe you do something completely different? Please share.

Anticipation by Merrillee Whren

Our lives are made up of anticipation. We look forward to lots of things. When I was in college, I had a professor who said we shouldn't make a surprise visit to our parents, but we should let them know we were coming so they could have the pleasure of the anticipation of our visit. I have always remembered that. Half the fun of an event is the expectation involved.

Where I live in the desert, I anticipate the blooming of the cacti. Here's a photo that symbolizes anticipation.

The little pods on the top of the saguaro are going to be beautiful white flowers. Here is what they look like.

This is a prickly pear cactus with buds and one bloom. There's a lot of anticipation in those tiny buds.

Here's what a prickly pear looks like with lots of blooms.

Just for fun I'll share some more cacti and their blooms that I've taken in previous years. The cacti are only starting to bloom now. I'm looking forward to the beautiful flowers.

When we read romances, we anticipate the happy ending. We expect that the hero and heroine to find happiness with each other.

I'm anticipating the release of my second Village of Hope book in August, and I'm looking forward to sharing the cover when it's available.What kinds of things are you anticipating?

 Second Chance Reunion, Village of Hope Book #1