Hello friend,
Let’s sit a minute over a cup of tea (or coffee) and have a chat.
How do you handle unmet expectations? Do you sit and brood all day long? Do you raise your fist and God for an indeterminable amount of time and cry “how long” or even demand to know “how could You?”
Well, sometimes I do. Sometimes I have my heart set on a particular need that I desire to be met and I pray and storm heaven expecting that “my will” will be done. Sometimes I even begin planning around how I can cultivate the need before it has even been met.
When the time for it manifesting has expired on my watch, and it does not look as though God is answering, I don’t readily walk away rejoicing and counting my blessings. I don’t jump to Romans 8:28 and say “well girl, all things will work together for good” and move along, especially if it’s something I feel I really, really, really need.
“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6 NKJV)
Unmet expectations can cause offense. If not handled well, they can also become idols. Yes. I-D-O-L-S. But Dee, you say, I’m not bowing down and serving them? Aren’t we though? Every time we keep our eyes gazed at what we think we missed they are not placed on WHOM we have in our corner. Selah!
Trusting God requires that we accept with open hands all His blessings, even the ones that do not make us “happy”.
Parents know that from time to time, we have to give our kids the bitter stuff to drink. It could be because they are sick and need medicine (corrective action) or it could be because we are giving them a herbal remedy (preventative action) to detox and cleanse their bodies in order to prevent sickness.
As children, we were not always pleased with the vegetables our parents piled on our plates; the chores we simply had to do; the places we were forbidden from going; the clothes we were prevented from wearing; give yourself a minute and “the do’s and don’ts list” could go on and on. Looking back though, we either now understand, or get a glimpse of the rationale behind the choices our parents made.
“Do any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for a fish? Would any father give him a snake? Or, if he asked for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? Of course not! Even you who are bad know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to the people who ask him.” Luke 11:11-13 (ERV)
Conclusion
Our Father knows just what we need. He knows when we need a “No”, when we need a “not quite yet” and when we are ready for an “absolutely yes.” Many times what we are asking for is amiss (see James thought on it) and even contrary to the plans He has for our lives.
We are limited in our thinking, we are ignorant of our future. Our Father is limitless in His thinking and very much knowledgeable of our future.
How about we learn to practice gratitude today, especially for the expectations that remain unmet.
Imago Dei 