Great Expectations...(Not the Novel)..Part 1.

Expectations. Big word. Big Concept. Our pastor talked about our expectations and how our own expectations can lead to great disappointment or hurt feelings. Oddly enough my four year old demonstrated this perfectly when he received a gift from his teacher. He collapsed in tears when he opened his gift (at home) and found a book instead of a brand new train. Yup. "But she knows I like trains!" he quietly cried. I felt bad, he was so disappointed...but needless to say, his expectations were a little too great for the small gift bag he held in his hands.
It applies to so many things, our friends our family, holiday traditions, our bosses, our churches..the list goes on. Our expectations vs reality.
I admit,on more than one occasion my expectations have been too high and I have suffered disappointment. At some point you place a certain expectation on a person and they don't live up to what you have defined, you get angry or upset with them...but was it their fault? or mine? I think there is a balance there (but that is part II).
For instance, I think I can give a gift maybe with a great deal of personal investment which for me would be writing, a photograph, special music.. something from the heart and I can be all excited to leave it for someone on Christmas and it's met with a lukewarm gratitude. Hurt feelings? sure. Great expectations for my very own idea? *gulp* yes. Perhaps in my own grandeur I thought the gift was fantastic and I was "expecting" a great reaction. When it doesn't happen...feelings are hurt, resentment maybe? So many feelings can spawn of such an idea. I think we all do it to some point.
I have even done it to people. I expect them to handle something the way I would or better than what they are capable of...once again great expectations...great disappointment. Subconsciously I expect something from someone and when it doesn't happen, I am frustrated and maybe even angry with them. yikes. what an awesomely, ugly admission. But it's true. So, just a check point... are your great expectations leading to some hurt feelings? disappointment? maybe :)
Now..expecting great things from a great God...no disappointment there .

Santa baby...

Over 80 and (my grandma) getting her first visit with Santa. Tell me if that doesn't put a smile on your face...not sure what will ;)

If nothing else watch the video

This is how I spent my morning watching and listening to Graham and Randi's journey via Heartland Church in Indy. If you have a moment or a half hour while you are multi- tasking. Click on the link here and then click on "While you are waiting on a miracle". The video quickly summarizes their journey since Graham's accident. Then Graham's father preaches a little about the accident and the test of the faith that exudes from this. Graham and Randi then come on stage for a bit. However, if you have a quiet time...this is worth the investment. :)

We don't play holiday music...

I don't listen to the radio much, but on my drive yesterday the station (a secular one) DJ said..."We don't play holiday music, but if you are looking for Christmas music, we are your station."
It was small, but it made me smile. Maybe it's just me but there seems to be a resurgence in using the word "Christmas" this year. It's as if there is a subtle, yet noticeable rebellion among many to go against the whole "holiday wishes" and wish someone a Merry Christmas. I had TWO cashiers wish me a Merry Christmas AND post office person do the same. What I say? Is it possible? And you know what happened? I wished them a Merry Christmas back and no lightning bolts struck us, no one fell over in the lobby because they heard such an exchange... yup..it was almost as if.... Christmas was coming...not some obscure holiday ;)

A breath away...

That's all that stands between now and eternity. Today is going to be a long day for the Middleburgh community, school and extended family and friends of a young man who passed away yesterday. Sometimes, when you look back on an entire year you see how quickly it can go and fragile life is. No one holds a baby in their arms and wonders if by the time he graduates high school he will be facing the end of his life. That's hard stuff.

No one marries their true love wondering what will happen when they suffer a traumatic brain injury and no one expects that when their kiddo takes off in his car that the next phone call will be about the crash that followed one precarious turn in the road.

I could go on and on about people special to me or special to people close to me that have suffered enormous hurt this year. Heartache is only a breath away.

So. today. In the rush of the days events, breathe in and breathe out...and be thankful for that very miracle. Tonight, when you put your kids to sleep, put your cheek on their chest and listen to the rise and fall of their breathing, kiss your loved ones, say your sorry, pass out a few free hugs and perhaps most importantly, open your Bible and decide what this life (as quickly lived as it can be) is about. God knows the heartache, the soul searching, the aches in the pains, so His love is the only substance gracious enough to fall into. Reconcile your heart, For God so loved the world... it's a popular verse because it's true...but we are to choose Him. Now, when the hearts are weak and perspective is ripened with the curse of reality, God is there.

In the stalls....

When one walks into the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art the last thing you would expect is one of the highlights of the entire endeavor to occur in the bathroom. So, there we were...Crystal and I in the middle of Manhattan taking a little "break" from the photography exhibit only to overhear a trio of 80-year-old southern belles in the bathroom.
"This paper is sooooo rough," says one southern laden accent to another from the stall.
"It hurt my bum, who knew paper could be so rough," explains the next stall over while the third primps her hair in the mirror.
We try not to giggle, but the conversation was just hysterical.
"Who brought this paper in here anyway? The Russians?" At that I think we burst into giggles. The conversation ricocheted back and forth until they assured themselves that toilet paper had never been so rough and their bums were sure to be sore.
After Crystal said hello and they commented on her earrings...they did mention they were three widows traveling together making the most of their lives now. It was an "ah ha" moment, the next great American Novel...could surround those three ladies. But it was also reminder of how great they were making their lives. Loved ones had been lost, but they were making the most and enjoying the time they had now....maybe not including the METs tissue paper ;)