Meeting expectations

I just received a book I ordered on Amazon. I love books. This one had been on my radar for several years–ever since another blogger I love had shared a couple of quotes from it. Since it wasn’t a necessity or pertinent to any particular project I have pursued since then, the book title has simply languished on my personal wish list. I have periodically searched for an affordable copy to own. Oh, I checked with the library first, but they didn’t own a copy–not even a single one in the entire Georgia Pines system that could be transferred in so I could read it! I searched for it in bookstores locally and nationally as I traveled, but Books-a-Million and Barnes & Noble haven’t stocked it, either.

At long last, I found a used copy online that was within my means. It had the added bonus, I thought, of having an inscription by the book photographer. It was described as being “clean with no other markings.”

It arrived today. I was all excited and couldn’t wait to liberate it from all of the packaging.

It wasn’t what I expected.

Yes, there was an inscription by the photographer, but there were also multiple pages (8, to be precise) that had markings where a previous reader had chosen to mark passages that appealed to them…but not necessarily to me. I was crushed. After waiting all this time, it just didn’t live up to my expectations.

That’s a word I’ve been reading a lot about here lately. Expectations. Set them too high and disappointment is sure to follow. Set them too low and no one will express any interest.

I’ve had a little more time to read and think lately. Deciding to limit my time online has been a real treat during this busy holiday season. I’ve had more time for prayer (which I’ve needed) and I’ve accomplished more than I thought possible on my chore list each day. I am loving it! In fact, I may just adjust a few of my parameters and keep this personal challenge going for a little while.

The story about my new book and the report on my latest challenge may not seem to mesh at first glance. What they do, however, is remind me that I need to make sure I take the time to think about what I set others up to expect from me–by the things I say and the things I do–and the things I expect of them in return.

Additionally, if I’m supposed to represent Christ well every day (and I am), then I need to make certain I live up to the expectation He sets for me in the Bible, not just those others set for me or the ones I might set for myself. Quite honestly, His expectations are often both more difficult and much simpler than those I’ve set for myself in the past. His is a law of liberty and I’ve managed to complicate that liberty more than once by allowing myself “a pass” on some elements and adding my own brand of adherence to others. Thinking back on some of my past behavior, I’m often amazed that God was been allowed to show up at all some days. (my goodness, aren’t you glad you don’t do things like that?!)

As I’ve had more time to think lately, I’ve also had more time to talk to God about what I’m thinking (and doing) and how that lines up with His expectations of me. I’ve been reminded that He is full of grace and forgiveness, so I must choose to be the same.

It’s already made a significant difference in the way I’m choosing to celebrate this Christmas. I’m choosing to let go of some expectations in the way the season ought to be celebrated. Some of those expectations are mine. Some aren’t. The main thing I’m doing is choosing to expect God to show up just like He did so long ago to save a world that was in such need of Him…and that looks like me this year…so I’m actively looking for Him in my days. I’m choosing to believe that He is enough. I’m choosing peace over pursuit. I’m choosing rest over activity. I’m choosing relationships over technology, and I’m choosing to look to for Him in the quietness of the room and in the depth of my heart.

He is here and He enough. Expectation met…and exceeded.

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

 

(Btw, I contacted my bookseller. They were gracious enough to apologize for the misrepresentation and then they went even further: they refunded my money and told me to keep the book! Seems like they might know something about meeting expectations, as well.)

Rest, Rescue and Redemption

Well, we did it! We managed to carve time out for our very own Fall Break! In fact, we’re just recently back from it–although that sounds far more high & mighty than it actually was since we did more of a stay-cation on this one. It was an extended (on both ends!) glorified–and glorious!!–weekend of all kinds of fun and relaxation that was even more needed than we had previously realized.

Here’s a little bit of what we found as we explored tiny towns nearby and went down country roads with no traffic and explored “the big city”…(and since I apparently took 505 photos over the break, aren’t you ever so glad I can edit?! HA!–oops! That number didn’t include the ones on my phone!)

          

It wasn’t until I was going through all of the photos that I realized that God had given us a “theme vacation” this year:  Rest, Rescue and Redemption. From ancient rescued broken china soon to be gorgeous jewelry to reclaimed lands and rescued creatures, from big city skylines to picnics under the trees in the gardens, from giant whale sharks to tiny dragon fish, and from black bears and white tigers to black sheep–both actually and metaphorically!–we filled our days of break with the knowledge that we are loved by the Creator who makes all things possible…and all things new. And who doesn’t need to be made new again at least once in awhile?

The fabulous Diva Sue!

Interspersed among our various outings we also found time for college football, a street party at one of our neighbors’ homes, naps, great food, some light reading and a little painting. In fact, other than running a few loads of laundry, we didn’t do a single thing on the “To Do” chore-list I keep running in my head. It felt good to not be on a set schedule. It also felt ridiculously decadent at times…and we didn’t mind that a bit! (grin)  It gave us some time to slow down and focus on the details. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  We took Matthew 11:28 literally and the reward was exactly what we needed as we head toward the upcoming holiday season and the challenges we already know we’ll face within the next few weeks. Score one for God being right again! (Imagine that!) Rest. In music, as in life, it is the “rest” between the notes that drives the melody.

While we were at the Atlanta Aquarium one of their docents mentioned that the majority of their residents were there because they would be unable to survive and thrive in their natural habitats due to varying defects, damages or naturally occurring physical differences. Additionally, there was a sign at Noah’s Ark that said something along the lines of “all the animals in this area are either physically, emotionally or mentally damaged–pet at your own risk”…and Good Lord, isn’t that all of us at some point? And we wonder why some people react the way they do?  Rescue and Redemption.  We all need this!

A safe place to be and the opportunity to live productive lives…this is Kingdom business whether we’re on vacation or up to our hips in the messy parts of life. God offers all of us the opportunity for Rest, Rescue and Redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Seems like the least we can do is share that same grace with those around us.

How will you do that this weekend? this month? today?  It is a choice…and therein lies the challenge.

Grace & Peace!

   Thought I’d share these two just for fun:  We were trying to get a close shot of the blue berries on this tree when we surprised this little one AND is it just me or do the starfish in this photo look like little kids on a playground:  they’re doing a high 5 and climbing up the rock while two more lie out in the middle of the school yard?! HA! I love it when God lets us in on the funny!