Thursday Writing..."Plans and Expectations",,,4/19/18

Good Morning,

The theme for today concerns expectations. They are squiggly things that are often impossible to grab hold of. Here is a quote from this writing, "I have learned for the hundredth+ time that expectations can kill your joy...especially if the expectations do not represent reality. When we put our expectations on other human beings who genuinely try, but sometimes fall short it is unfair to them and to ourselves."

Hoping but not expecting,

Corinne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Devotional 

"Plans and Expectations"
by
Corinne Mustafa

Do you ever go somewhere to tour, to shop, or to try a new restaurant? Instead of the fun, you planned, you find yourself disappointed. The tour bus broke down and you missed one full day that the brochure offered. The store does not meet your standards of quality, and you realize that the reason the advertisement had such low prices was due to the substandard items they were selling.  The anticipated fare at the restaurant was disappointing...meat tough, no seasonings, poor service.

On a personal level do you ever plan and plan for a happening or event that means a lot to you? You start off searching for ideas for a theme and how to decorate. You peruse your cookbooks for the perfect food. You spend days straightening and cleaning your house. You are grumpy with anyone living in the house who dares to get in your way, mess up what is already cleaned, or is not willing to help when you ask. 

Different issues are involved if you are planning an event (outside your home) for your church or a group to which you belong. Yes, the challenges are different, but the total consumption of your time and thoughts is the same as home events. Then to your dismay, the event does not turn out as you had envisioned, and your anticipation of perfection fall far short in reality of what you have designed in your plans.  

We feel let down, and often we see it as a failure. We see where we failed, but we also see where the others involved in preparing the activity or attending it did not come up to par. We wonder why those around us do not seem to be able to get with the program. Our expectations to satisfaction about our intention have not met our "expectations" at all

Here is a scripture upon which to ponder...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

You may be asking yourself what that has to do with expectations.

• I see the word "plans" which was what your 
  effort started off with. 
• Then "plans to prosper you" comes next.
• You never wanted to hurt anyone so "not to
   harm you" is an appropriate synopsis of your intentions.
• If your project was far-reaching enough, you also 
  wanted to give those involved "a hope and a future."

What is more, the people who come have plans for good results from the occasion that they are involved in as well?

My dear friends, I have learned for the hundredth+ time that expectations can kill your joy...especially if the expectations do not represent reality. When we put our expectations on other human beings who genuinely try, but sometimes fall short it is unfair to them and to ourselves.

Please reread the scripture above and think that it is is the plan God has for us to offer us perfect fulfillment of our expectations. It is mind boggling to think that God offers this to us, and helps us to measure up to the expectation His plans offer.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the fact that You are forgiving of us in our shortcomings with regard to what You give us. Help us to remember that You are the only one we can totally depend on to meet our expectations. Show us also how to pass on Your brand of compassion to others who do not meet up to our expectations as well.                Amen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Call Upon the Lord"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Expectations can be a killer to joy. 

We do not have the right to expect anything 

from anyone, even God.

However, we may find that God has

handed us (in his own timing)

another gift that we were not 

equipped to even imagine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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