Let me start off with the word "expectation". I have been seeing, hearing, and having repercussions from this word for quite some time. I personally think that expectations are good and necessary.
When I was first faced with this word, I stated that expectations are good. The problem with them comes when they are inconstant between two constants. When two people, in a relationship, have different expectations; you will have heartbreak. If you don't have them then you will settle for anything, settle for less than you deserve. We should have certain expectations for our children, our homes, our selves, our spouses, and much more.
The lesson that God has been teaching me is this:
When I expect a friend to give the same amount of care to our friendship that I do, and they don't....my expectations of her fail and I have heartbreak.
When I expect my husband to do certain things a way because if society or my beliefs or because I do them this way, and he doesn't... my expectations of him fail and either I get mad or have heartbreak.
When I expect my child to be a certain way and he isn't, my expectations fail and I get mad.
When I expect my mother, sister or other family member to do something and they don't, I have heartbreak.
Do you see a pattern?
My expectations are not meant to be put into people. They will fail every time because I have placed them in the wrong hands. Humans are sinners and humans will let others down constantly.
My expectations in GOD will stand firm. He never changes, He never fails, He never lets me down, He never moves. He is CONSTANT. He is where my HOPE and expectations should be placed.
Hope and expectations are very similar. You hope that friend will care like you do. You hope that your spouse and child will do things a certain way. You hope that your mother and sister will...you hope, you hope, you hope.
For about a week, I have been telling myself that the people in my life are not my HOPE. The people in my life are humans and will inevitably fail and if my hope is in them, I will have heartbreak.
My hope is in my Savior!!
While I have been learning this, I have noticed a problem. I can distance myself from people. It is because I am shielding myself from my expectations getting broken and my heartache. I cling to the ONE CONSTANT and push the others away (granted my child and husband have been very close). Until I can separate my heart from those expectations, I will have heartache.
So needless to say MY HOPE is now where it should be. I think that I have always had hope in the Lord. But that hope was for "things" that He would provide. That He would cure, heal, calm, teach, guide....never for others in my life as they relate to me.
My last blog was about the Lord wanting to show my something.......I have faith that this is it. Now it is my turn to show the Lord that I heard Him and will obey. Because blessings follow obedience, right Mrs. Janet?! ;) (whoa....chills....this excites me!!)
The journey is not over. It is an everyday battle and will continue to be because...I am human. But each day that I go through battles, I will grow closer to my heavenly father.
I pray that the Lord give me what I need to prosper in these relationships with out my expectations. That I can have standards for myself and for others that I let into my life.
I want to share a song that speaks to my heart tremendously. I love it so much! Ive said it before, it gets played in our house about 2 times a day minimum. The lyrics are exactly what I need.
If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for you, I’m waiting here for you
You’re the Lord of all creation
And still you know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start
CHORUS
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia
You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we're desperate for Your presence
All we need is You
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia
Singing Alleluia
Alleluia, singing alleluia, alleluia
Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia
Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
We're singing Alleluia
