Great Expectations

The truck was packed. The outboard motor was onboard. The trolling motor, kindly loaned to us by a friend, was charged and ready to go, as were we. Dee and I had planned the trip for months. We were headed northwest to a quiet cabin on a scenic, placid lake. We could visualize sitting on the dock in serene bliss. We could picture the idyllic cabin nestled in a grove of trees. We could imagine stringers full of fish from an exhilarating day on the lake. For the entire trip, we shared our vision of the soon-to-be enjoyed tranquil reality.

The first indication of a problem came as we pulled into the “resort.” The four peaceful cabins were engulfed by several hundred assorted camping trailers. Seemingly, thousands of visitors scampered about the grounds. Dee and I rushed to our cabin seeking the much needed solitude. Not exactly! After we returned from Wal-Mart with the cleaning supplies, it only took us three hours to have the building clean enough to inhabit.

That night after a long drive and hours of tedious housework, we settled down for a good night’s sleep on the two army cots that were provided. It was only 10:00 but the lake was beautiful and we wanted to be up early for some quality fishing. Then it started. The long whine and high shrill whistling sound followed by the explosion. Then another and another and another as the multitudes celebrated their own personal Fourth of July fireworks displays.

Nevertheless, we were on the lake by six the next morning. No one really needs more than a couple of hours sleep when on vacation. We were on a beautiful lake in the far north where delightful cool temperatures are the norm. The temperature only surpassed 95 degrees twice while we were there. On the other days it only reached ninety. Additionally, for the first time in recent memory the lake was so filled with weeds that fishing was almost impossible.

So much for great expectations. It has happened to most of us. We expect something great only to be let down. Such will not be the case as we anticipate the home the Lord is preparing for His people. When we arrive in His presence, not only will we not be disappointed, we will be amazingly joyous inhabiting the resort He has made for us for eternity.