Anticipations

I love preliminary things:

The tuning-up of flutes and strings;

The little scales musicians play

In varying keys to feel their way;

The hum-the hush in which dies;

But most to see the curtain rise.

I love preliminary things:

The little box the postman brings;

To cut the twine, to break the seals,

And wonder what the lid reveals;

To lift the folds in which it lies

And watch the gift materialize.

The snowdrop and the daffodil,

The catkins hanging straight and still,

The blossom on the orchard trees-

Do you know greater joys than these?

Each represents the hope that springs

In all preliminary things.

-J.R.J

I ran across this poem in an anthology from 1938 and it immediately reminded me of the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. There’s a beauty in preliminary things, because they build anticipation for what’s coming. It’s easy to anticipate things like vacations or birthdays, promotions and good times. I find it deeply encouraging that Jesus turned things upside down by reframing our brokenness into expectation.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

How beautiful; I love preliminary things.