Expectations

I’ve heard that comparison kills. I wonder what ‘expectation’ does. About a decade ago I had this eye-opening revelation that, without conscious awareness, I was waiting on someone to apologize to me. This person, I felt, had wronged me and needed to atone for their sin. At the end of the 20-year wait, I came to realize that we saw things through two different lens. Imagine my surprise! I don’t think I ever got the apology I wanted. If my happiness was hinged on that person apologizing – I would have wasted 20 years of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for responsibility and accountability. However, some people lack the capacity to do some of the things we expect of them. We need to know when to free ourselves and free them.

A very wise friend once told me: [paraphrase] ” When I came to understand that my husband couldn’t give me what he doesn’t have. It changed the atmosphere in my home. It changed the way I looked at my husband.” She began to love him from a different place. It freed her to begin appreciating the great qualities he possessed rather than focusing on where he fell short. Is it time to begin shifting your expectations today? I promise you – it is not easy, but it is freeing!

Let’s strive to help ourselves and others. Be mindful of the unrealistic images we create in our spaces. Mentally and emotionally. Let’s release those in our world of the prison and shackles of our expectations. There’s only One who is All Sufficient. He alone can be our all in all.

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. [Psalm 62:5]