Expectations and a Wiggly Tooth

     A few days ago, Olive's tooth began to wiggle and she couldn't have been more excited! The twinkling eyes, huge smile and finger in her mouth let me know from yards away what was happening. I know she has been waiting for this for what seems like forever since her friends started losing teeth last school year.  She suddenly became scared to take a bite, had lots of questions about the exact procedure the tooth fairy uses and hoped it wouldn't come out until her birthday because that would be the ultimate gift. After an hour of being in bed, she got up to ask more questions because she was certain it was now "hanging". I know she has expectations set for this milestone and I'm not sure how achievable they are. This got me to thinking about expectations in my own mind and how unachievable they are.

    Expectations make my life so complicated. I'm constantly placing them on myself, others, and situations and find myself irritated, frustrated and annoyed when those expectations are not met.  This has destroyed many days and memories in my life.  The simple act of setting an expectation can completely change an otherwise great experience and it can be maddening and exhausting. Some days I have a better handle on it than others. But oh the days when I don't usually end in disaster. At least disaster in my heart because while I may not always show my frustration on the outside, I feel it. And then I feel the follow up feelings of anger and frustration with myself for being what I see as selfish or ungrateful.  I'm realizing that setting expectations is blocking me from seeing God and His ways. In Isaiah it says,  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”  
When I set expectations for a situation, I am taking my focus off of God and His place in the situation and ultimately placing my focus on MYSELF and what I want from a situation. Yikes. That is the real deal right there.  My expectations are self serving. 

     

      I am setting a new challenge for myself: To only make one expectation daily,  to expect for God to use something in each day.  Sounds simple right?  

Riiiight with control issues like mine, this is going to be more than a simple declaration.  It is going to take daily mega work to keep my focus on Him so that He can use each day. 

     While there are some days I really don't know what he could use, there are others that I know clearly what He is using to change me, to help others or to bring glory to His kingdom.  I am committing to expecting it.  Expecting Him.  Focusing on Him and His part and not on myself. Anyone want to commit to join me in this?  We can help each other.  

I am going to need a lot of help!!