Humans have an innate God-given capacity to anticipate the good things in life. Infants learn to anticipate the tender caresses that occur in respond to their cries. They know that a warm bottle or dry diaper will b e brought to them in loving arms to fulfull their needs when they wail loudly.

As we mature, we realize that God offers us unfailing love. We discover that the sun will shine after a storm, that rain will end a draught, and that without fail, the warmth of spring follows a cold, dreafy winter.

These are assurances of God’s existence and love.
For me, my anticipation of a special event has made the longed for experience more wonderful after prolonged day dreaming and planning –my high school prom, graduation day, my first pay check, marriage and children. I longed for a believer’s baptism with such passion that my pastor cautioned me against breathing in a joyous breath of relief as I went under the water.

Leaving Rosemary Hill after eighteen years of serene and joyful living with the man who fulfilled my dreams of being cherished and protected, is a trauma that is tempered by my anticipation of living in town near everything we need. We had planned to live the duration of our lives at Rosemary Hill, which was built and named by my husband as a monument to our love.

But stuff happens, and while leaving our woods is bittersweet, we’re looking forward to living in the charming bungalow we purchased in the middle of town. We’ll be near everything we need and have neighbors nearby. After that, we know that our faith will enable us to rise above any of life’s remaining trials, ant that our hope of Heaaven will continue to offset the diasappointments of this world.

My Hope of Heaven

Removes death’s sting
It heals my wounds
Eases my sorrow
It shines its light on everything
And gives me courage for tomorrow.