Expectations

The older I get the more I realize that when I am disappointed, I almost always had the wrong expectations. Expectations I hoist upon myself from false moorings. I need to be a millionaire by age 50. What? Where did that come from? Oh yah, directly from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus talked about that. Right? Or, well, . . . maybe not.

We create expectations that aren't grounded in reality. And by reality I don't mean our culture. That isn't real. It's an illusion that we believe. Why?

The reality is Jesus is alive and working in our world. Not just in churches, sometimes not even in churches. But in unassuming places. In unexpected situations. Grace appears in humble moments.

The older I get, the more I cry when I see goodness. I don't cry much when I see bad things. It's goodness and grace that gets me.

Miracles happen always. How can mean people love their kids? Why hasn't our world destroyed itself yet? How can a song by a drug addled pop star touch our hearts?

God's grace is very real. It keeps humans from killing each other, and more importantly, it's the juice that lets us feel love.

God is so good. He made you the way he wanted to make you. Enjoy it. Don't fight the current of your unique life. And by all means don't compare your life with others. Everyone has their issues, and we never know what they are. We don't need to. Just know that the God of the universe loves and cares for you as he loves and cares for the person you are talking to. Don't hoist ephemeral expectations on yourself or others. Breathe deep and relax. Life with God is good.