Monday, Seth and I and a bunch of our cousins visited the happiest place on earth. That's right: Walt Disney World. I wondered to myself a year ago about this place we call the "happiest". When you're there, even on days when it's not raining and cold like it was Monday, people don't seem all that happy. Parents are irritated and yelling at kids. Children are crying and tired. Lines are long and tempers flare. Happiest place indeed. I think the problem is really one of expectation and something God has taught me over and over in my life.
`
We knew, before we went to Disney, that the weather was not likely to cooperate. Rain was called for the entire day. That was a bummer; surely not what you hope for on Disney day. But because of that, I had my expectations in line and my "plans" checked at the door. We went to Disney, got wet, had short lines (yay!), and ultimately had a great time. No, Seth wasn't running around screaming with delight like he might have. (Turns out he was on the verge of being pretty sick.) And a smile wasn't permanently plastered to his face, and the sun didn't kiss our cheeks or even show its face, and we were fairly wet and, at times, miserable. But we had fun. http://sethcameron.blogspot.com/
`
What does Disney have to do with the topic of this blog? Single and adoption..... HUH? Expectations. Seth doesn't disappointment me except when I expect him to be someone he isn't. Like my one year old cousins who are starting to talk, even though they are a full year behind him. Or my three year old cousin who can run and jump and drive a barbie jeep like a champ. Or my seven or nine year old cousins who are so sweet and social and funny. Nope. Seth isn't like them. And I need to constantly check my expectations at the door or I'll go crazy! My next child won't disappoint either, if I can keep my human expectations in check. See, even my sister's "perfect" kids don't always meet expectations, and that's okay. Just like Seth's okay. It's all about expectations.
`
`
What does Disney have to do with the topic of this blog? Single and adoption..... HUH? Expectations. Seth doesn't disappointment me except when I expect him to be someone he isn't. Like my one year old cousins who are starting to talk, even though they are a full year behind him. Or my three year old cousin who can run and jump and drive a barbie jeep like a champ. Or my seven or nine year old cousins who are so sweet and social and funny. Nope. Seth isn't like them. And I need to constantly check my expectations at the door or I'll go crazy! My next child won't disappoint either, if I can keep my human expectations in check. See, even my sister's "perfect" kids don't always meet expectations, and that's okay. Just like Seth's okay. It's all about expectations.
`
Don't get me wrong. I think expectations are important. Particularly for kids. If you don't expect anything, your kids will have no goals; nothing to push for, nothing to push them. I guess the part I'm talking about is a little different and relates to the expectations we put on life and situations and people.
`
Expectations are HUGE in relationships. I remember hearing that years ago when I was in my 20s and wanting to be married. If you expect perfection, you will always be disappointed. I will always be disappointed. If I keep a list of criteria to be my friend or my boyfriend, I will constantly be let down. It's only in keeping our "lists" in line with what God's Word says that we will not be disappointed. In real life, the sky doesn't often part, the birds don't sing, and life doesn't become some ridiculous playground of fun. (Can you tell I was just at Disney???) So that's what I'm working on. God and me. Expectations. Godly expectations. For me, for my kiddos, and for the one-day Captain of Team Steiner. Expectations. Check.
Expectations are HUGE in relationships. I remember hearing that years ago when I was in my 20s and wanting to be married. If you expect perfection, you will always be disappointed. I will always be disappointed. If I keep a list of criteria to be my friend or my boyfriend, I will constantly be let down. It's only in keeping our "lists" in line with what God's Word says that we will not be disappointed. In real life, the sky doesn't often part, the birds don't sing, and life doesn't become some ridiculous playground of fun. (Can you tell I was just at Disney???) So that's what I'm working on. God and me. Expectations. Godly expectations. For me, for my kiddos, and for the one-day Captain of Team Steiner. Expectations. Check.
`
David sang in the Psalms, "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope (expectation) is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62: 5-6. Hope in the Lord. Expectations only in Him. That's the surest way I know to the happiest place on earth.
David sang in the Psalms, "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope (expectation) is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62: 5-6. Hope in the Lord. Expectations only in Him. That's the surest way I know to the happiest place on earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment