The Gift of Anticipation

by Olivia Jones

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I wake to my 6:10 am alarm. I drag myself out of bed and start to get ready. As I’m brushing my teeth, I see the long day I have ahead. I have my ELAR Grammar Test, Science lab, Algebra Quiz, and my Spanish assessment. It feels endless.  But tonight is family movie night.

We’ll order pizza and all curl up together and watch a movie. If it’s funny, we laugh together. If it’s sad, we cry together.  Whatever it is, we’re  together. Suddenly the day doesn’t seem as long. Grammar test? Piece of cake. Science lab? Easy. Algebra? Algebra is still gonna be rough. Spanish test? No problema! With something to look forward to, everything feels a little easier.

It isn’t because my classes magically got easier. It’s because my attitude towards those classes improved. The anticipation of something that I know will be fun helps me approach the day. In a way it’s kind of like Advent. We all are anticipating the birth of Jesus. He brings hope of a better future, and that makes it easier to live in the present.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

- Isaiah 9:2;6