It's finally here!

     It’s hard to believe it is finally here!  We’ve been waiting since last year!  Lisa and I are excited!  The kids are bouncing off the walls!  So many childhood memories keep flooding my mind.  It’s finally here!!! That’s right—we’re seeing the new Star Wars movie…oh yeah, and it’s also Christmas Eve.  (Actually, we saw the new Star Wars movie a few days ago.  I won’t spoil it for you by telling you that Jar Jar Binks is the hero and he saves the day when he flies the U.S.S. Enterprise into Hogwarts to rescue the Tardis from the dragon Smaug.)

     Whether it is a favorite holiday, a much anticipated movie, a new child or grandchild on the way, an upcoming trip, a bonus at work, a visit from someone you love, or something else, anticipation is powerful.  Anticipation can give us hope, renew our strength, allow us to keep moving forward, fill us with joy, and help us to envision a brighter future.

     Anticipation is a powerful part of a healthy marriage.  There is something amazing that happens when a husband and wife are joined together in expecting something good—not just a vague “something,” but a specific event or intimate time together.  Especially when a couple is walking through “a desert-time” together, anticipation becomes critical because it helps them realize that an oasis of refreshing water is ahead.

     What are things that you can do to help create exciting anticipation in your relationship?  Certainly you have to be realistic about what you can do based on time and money, but creating or planning something special for you and your covenant lover to do together is a great way to bring a renewed connection into your marriage.  Regularly, give each other a special time, a special place, a wonderful experience to look forward to sharing together—something that breaks out of the ordinary, even if just for a short time, and allows you to grow closer together.

     But be careful.  Building anticipation, then continually putting your spouse off will create frustration and resentment.  As the proverbist says, “Hope delayed makes the heart sick; longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, CEB)  Whether it’s connected to a movie, a holiday, or something more amorous, how can you create positive anticipation and be “a tree of life” to your marriage?