I stopped by my grandparent’s house a few days ago to visit. Pops was sleeping in his recliner when I arrived, so I sat down at his makeshift desk (which is really just an old card table), leaned back in his folding chair, and took in the scene before me.
A small metal easel sat on the table holding a painting of pink flowers in yellow pots. Tubes of paint were scattered around the table, along with brushes and small pieces of cardboard with paint smeared on them. Pops’ 2018 planner laid in the center of the table with a sketch of something sitting next to it. I smiled at the sight because it pretty well sums up who Pops is and how he lives his life. 
What I saw on that table was evidence of a man who is ready and expectant for the new year that’s ahead. He’s 83 years old and still dreaming and creating and planning. New paintings are on the horizon (he tells me an outdoor scene is next), and new and improved garden layouts will soon be designed and sketched out in preparation for Spring. He’s even expecting his beloved Brownies to win a game in the new year (there’s always hope, right?).
He’s always been this way – encouraging us grand kids to imagine and create – and more often than not, you’d find him right in there dreaming with us. We were constantly making up elaborate card games and building spinners to go with them, creating our own unique rules for pool, and designing golf courses that would wind all throughout the house. And then there were the ever special “birthday trees” that Pops dreamed up and handcrafted out of poster board. Once upon a time, these Smitty originals were made and given out to the Smith/Van Vranken clan on their special days.
There’s much to be learned from Pops’ expectant spirit and creative ways. He has more motivation and lust for life than most people I know. It’s pretty remarkable. That’s what I want for 2018 – to be ready and expectant for what lies ahead.
If I’m honest with myself, I don’t think I expect God to show up enough. I mean, He’s God. He can do anything. He spoke the skies and seas and earth into existence. He breathed life into our souls. Yet I so often box Him in – I expect little and fail to believe that He’ll do what He says He’ll do. But I’ve been reminded lately that He delights in showing up for us. He wants to surprise us. He wants to give us the victory. He wants to bind up our wounds. He wants to make us new. That’s why He came.
And over and over again, I see Him showing up at just the right time.
Manna in the wilderness.
A road through the Red Sea.
A baby in a manger.
Wine at a wedding.
Jesus on a cross.
When the victory seems unattainable; when there’s water ahead and an enemy army behind – that’s when He rushes in. When His people are wandering in the wilderness; when they’re bound by the chains of sin – that’s when He comes to the rescue.
Because it’s in those moments that He gets to show us His glory and faithfulness and steadfast love; and it’s in those moments that we become aware of our great need.
I want to expect the Lord to come and move in 2018. I want to believe Him for the promise that He is making all things new. Though we may not see and experience complete newness and reconciliation and healing on this side of heaven, I believe the Lord is beginning that process now on earth. The more we live with our eyes open and our hearts expectant, the more of His Kingdom we will see, and the more of His abundant and full life we will experience right here and now.
I want to be like Pops as he sits with his paintings and planner before him – expectant for what the new year holds. I want to sit before the Lord as He ushers in another year and expect Him to show up and provide and speak in all the big and little and ordinary moments of life.
He is doing a new thing. Let’s declare it now and start the new year hopeful and expectant for what is to come.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7
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