What Are Your Expectations?

     I was reflecting this morning on my expectations in life.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have had high expectations about people, the holidays and life in general.  I am certain many of you can relate.
     I would discover something outside that I thought was absolutely wonderful, and I would run inside all excited to tell my mother.  However, her response was always disappointing because she didn't get as excited as I was.  Or, I would anticipate a certain gift at Christmas time only to discover that no one had purchased that for me.  Finally, I might expect someone to do a certain thing for me only to be disheartened that they never thought about doing it.
     Our expectations can let us down, and the holidays can be a depressing time if our expectations are on the wrong things.  All we have to do is watch the T.V. ads which show the idyllic family gathering, happy faces all around and an abundance of food and gifts.  These ads paint an often false picture of real life.  It represents the world's concept of perfection not what God wants us to focus on.
     In Luke 2:25-38, we read about two faithful servants of the Lord who lived near the Temple and served Him all the time.  One named Simeon asked the Lord to allow him to live till He could see the Messiah.  The other servant was Anna who stayed in the Temple constantly worshipping the Lord.  These two saints were living to see God's salvation.  Their expectations were fastened to the right thing.  When Simeon saw Jesus, he said:  "Lord now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."  Simeon went on to prophesy over Jesus.  Anna, a widow who lived near the Temple, blessed the baby Jesus when she saw Him.
     Oh, to be like both Anna and Simeon!  Their expectations were on the right things.  We know that Jesus will never disappoint us!  He is the best gift that God could ever bring into our lives, and the best friend we could ever have.
     As the holidays approach, we need to check out our expectations.  Are we setting ourselves up for disappointment by putting our expectations on the wrong things or are we looking to the Lord this year?  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  This Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us put Christ at the center of all we say and do.  Then, we will never be disappointed!  Selah!

   

I welcome your thoughts and insights.  May the Lord bless you for stopping by!