Expectations...

Warning (this was written without checking typos!)

Expectations. We all have them. We have expectations of how someone should act. That our spouse, parent, or friend to know what we are thinking or wanting. There are expectations that our God should do this or that in our lives or someone else life. Hopes are dashed when those expectations are not met. Anger can set in and disappointment in the relationship.

Why? We don’t just develop it come adulthood. It is very evident even in the very young. Many times it comes out as control. I notice this the most in my 7 year old. She will ask for something in such a roundabout way that I don’t know exactly what she is wanting. Like she will tell me a sprinkle got caught in between her tooth and that she got it out. So I’ll say okay. But then her disappointed look that she tries to hide gives me a clue something is wrong. Taking much time and tender questioning I discover she wanted me to kiss her.

Aren't we the same as adults?! We just don’t come out and say what we need or are thinking. Then when someone doesn't do what we wanted we pout. Sometimes I see we hint or skirt around the issues to control someone. Boy do we learn it young. Yet also we hint or skirt because we don’t trust that our needs will be met. Yes our “needs” may not be really a need, but that is how we feel at the time. So we avoid coming right out and saying what we “want” or “need” because we are not trusting the person filling it.

So what is all this jabbering going? My thoughts are this. When we either want to control someone or plain just don’t trust someone it leads us down a path of losing joy.  JOY. We choose to lose joy. So many times we get wrapped up into our wants and needs and forget Who is in charge and knows all. God loves us more than anyone or even more than we can love ourselves! Does He not know our thoughts? Is He not the One who made us?

Psm. 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psm. 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 13: 6-7 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always, hopes, always perseveres.

Need I say more? God is so amazing and is always there for us. How do we get trust then get joy? Could it be as simple as starting with thankfulness to our Father? Really? Well I just read a book by Ann  Voskamp called “One Thousand Gifts” and that is her book in a nutshell. I highly recommend it. I have started really taking more time in my day to tell my Creator that I thank him for so many things. In the process I start to find joy, trust, love. Yes I have really struggled with love for my kids at times. Stopping and thanking God for all the He has done…like beautiful brown eyes, freckles on a face, giggles in the morning, smell of pancakes cooking…God brings us not only JOY during those tough times, but Love for those sometimes hard to love. Yes even those hard to love because of my expectation on how they should act. OK I said it…I expect certain behaviors after I have trained and spent tons of time. But they are human…like me. Thankfulness brings me joy in the moment and love.

Thank you God for your love and joy!