23rd day of Lent

Anticipating the annual national basketball tournament this week is exciting for me. They call it "March Madness." And for us sports fans, it really is a madness of sorts. One basketball game after another for several weekends throughout March and into early April is thrilling. The best college basketball teams in the nation compete for the title of NCAA Basketball Champions. I look forward to it every year. My sons and I fill out our brackets attempting to predict who will win along the way and ultimately win it all. For us, it is fun.

Anticipation is an important emotion and mindset in our spiritual walk as well. I anticipate God’s presence as I live in this Monday and in this middle week in March 2010. I anticipate God teaching and reaching new places in me as I continue this journey of Lent. I anticipate the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb of Easter eventually coming. I anticipate that I will be a changed person because of what I encounter as I anticipate.

Anticipation keeps me sitting on the edge of my seat. Anticipation keeps me sharp. Anticipation keeps me expecting great things. Anticipation keeps me looking and searching for God’s presence in all people and in all places. Anticipation is a good thing. I can hardly wait for what it will bring.