peacefully waiting for that one beautiful moment

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2 Peter 3:13-14)

Last week, while Chuck and I were driving homeward, we found ourselves behind a school bus on its afternoon route, dropping kids off in our neighborhood. As we neared our subdivision, the driver slowed down, retracted the attached stop sign, and brought the bus to a complete halt. My husband and I waited as we watched a small child, wearing a backpack almost equal to his body size, jump off the bus and run down a side-street toward his home, only pausing to wave back at the bus driver who had returned to driving the rest of his route.

As Chuck began to accelerate passed the now-moving school bus, I kept watching the events on the side-street... where the little boy had darted enthusiastically into the arms of his waiting father.  Both so happy to be reunited.  The last image I recall of them was the child jumping mid-air toward his dad while the father simultaneously scooped him up and twirled him around in the air.

One beautiful moment as a family came together.

This event reminded me of my relationship with my own father...

Daddy would ride the Metro train after a long day's work in the city. His station drop was only a few blocks away from our home, so he'd hoof it back to our house at 6:00 p.m. each night, just in time for dinner. There, my much younger self would anxiously be awaiting his glorious return.

I can't even express my excitement whenever I would see him turn the corner onto our block.
I would run as fast as my small legs could carry me to welcome him home, rejoicing and singing, "Daddy's home! Daddy's home!  Hurray, hurray, Daddy's home!"

I giggle at the thought of how it must have thrilled him to see this little ball of blonde curls running towards him each day.

As I raced to hug him as tightly as I could, He simultaneously would scoop me up in his arms and twirl me in the air, equally thrilled to see me after a long days work.  Then, he carried me home while I'd wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his face repeatedly.  In these precious moments, I would tell my father how much I loved him and he would assure me that he loved me more.

One beautiful moment as a family came together.

This morning, I woke up early and was reminded of these two events.
When I sat down to relate with God, I felt like He was saying, "Victoria, I am your Holy Father who loves you without limits.  Won't you love me in return?  Won't you run to me each day with enthusiasm and excitement also?"

Ladies, God wants us to live out our days anxiously anticipating His return.
He desires for us to be ready to worship when a corner is turned and He willingly reveals Himself to us.
Most importantly, He commands us to love Him most.

So, let's barely be able to sit still because we long for the Father's glorious presence.
Let's run quickly toward His grace - as fast as our little legs can carry us - all-the-while proclaiming our complete devotion to His Throne.
Let's live in hope - ready to wrap our arms around our Beloved Father...
Diligently living without spot or blemish...
Peacefully waiting for that one beautiful moment when our family will come together forever.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, dearest Lord.

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson