Realistic Expectations

I was driving to work this morning with my son and as we went along we prayed for our day.  One thing that came to mind to pray for was realistic expectations.  With the Christmas season upon us, we have all sorts of gatherings, celebrations, family, and friends--even worship services, and all of this happens smack-dab in the middle of a culture that works overtime to try hype everything.  The danger is that we can begin to have unhealthy or misguided expectations.

Friendships that have struggled all year don't immediately get healthy just because there is a Christmas tree in the livingroom.  What was going on during the year doesn't magically change when lights and stockings are hung on the house and in the malls.

Now, I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, I'm just saying that a dose of reality is important, especially when there are so many things around us that can cause our expectations to rise--and rise based on things that aren't necessarily true.

So maybe this is a good time to reflect on something that is good for us to hear, and something that helps us to have slightly different expectations:
In Ephesians 4:1-5 we hear about some expectations that shifts the focus from what we expect from others onto ourselves and what others should expect from us.  It tells us that because we are children of God we are to live a life worthy of that calling.  We are told to be humble and gentle--being patient with each other and to do so with great love.  It mentions that we are to greatly value unity and peace, things that can sometimes get lost in the hustle and bustle of this season we find ourselves in.

It's so easy for us to lose sight of what is good, especially when the things that are tripping us up are wrapped in beautiful paper and bows with the scent of cinnamon in the air--it all looks so wonderful!  But here is the kicker:  we can get so wrapped up in the hype of Christmas--an unrealistically romantic view of what it should look like--that when things don't go the way we think it should, then our expectations start to put a lot of pressure on other people--pressure to satisfy our expectations, and when this happens it usually doesn't have much to do with the things mentioned in Eph. 4.

So here is my advice:  stop for a minute and consider what God values and ask yourself if you are valuing the same things.  If your ideas of Christmas don't include an emphasis on being humble and gentle; about being patient in love; and about working toward unity and peace; then I want to suggest that something should change.

When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, our expectations begin to be fixed in Him as well.  And when that begins to happen our lives begin to reflect Him too. 

Jesus, help us have truly realistic expectations this Christmas--help us to live with great care for others and allow genuine love, joy and peace be our gifts this year.

BT