Great Anticipation

My husband and I are awaiting in great anticipation of the arrival of our first daughter, Kaily May. We live in the "in between"...day-dreaming of what it will be like to have a new life invade ours and falling into the old routine of same thing, different day. As we look at life around us, it is definitely changing. Our office/gym is now filled with pink frilly things...her framed name on the wall....announcing her pending arrival. My car has an empty car seat - just waiting for a brand new life to fill it.

As I sit and wait, I am thankful that God placed this season of our life in stride with our celebration of Jesus' birth. It causes me to ask the question as to whether I approach God with that same awe and wonder with His plan to bring the newborn King into my life? If I am truly honest with myself - the answer is no. While I am one who loves Christmas...I love to sing the carols and enjoy the sights and sounds this season has to bring - I often miss the "awe" of it all. The Almighty loves us so much - He leaves the divine realm in the form of Jesus and enters our world in the humblest of circumstances to offer us a far greater gift than we will ever know. And the storyline only gets bigger and better, as we get to see how Jesus offers us life that is truly life and sacrifices His own for humanity. Greater love hath no man than He who lays His life down for a friend.

And I ask myself how this story seems to fade to the background in my life. How does this love not compel my heart to live the life that is truly life each day....to show others what is is like to receive the Love of the Almighty?

My prayer is this - Lord help me to live in light of your love. Invade our family this season in a way that forever changes us. We don't want this to have a seasonal effect. Please mark this season of anticipation in a way that carries us for a life time. Help us to see you and your love daily. Allow it not to stop at us - but to pour through us. Help us not to make life about ourselves...but all about you. As we prepare our hearts to become parents, please prepare us to model this to our children. May the next generation reflect your heart and love and be a healing agent to the wounds in this world.