Sharing from the heart here…
The frustration, the hurt, the resentment…
it can seemingly come out of nowhere, can’t it?
But it has its source…
Someone let me down.
Disappointed me.
Someone didn’t meet my expectations.
Note: Definition of Expectations:
Something that I think should have been done…in a certain way…around my timetable.
Sometimes it’s big deal kind of stuff…
Mostly, it’s stuff that doesn’t really matter.
Right?
And when those expectations aren’t met…
My response is quite clear.
Nobody is left wondering how I’m feeling about it.
(Oh, I wish it weren’t so.)
My words are too harsh…biting…hurtful.
My not-using-words behaviors are cool and slighting.
Good heavens.
Do I know nothing about GRACE?
I’m learning…learning…learning…
When I think about all the times – the many, many, too-many-to-count times
when I have disappointed others…
when I have messed things up…
when my way seemed better than any other way…
Who am I to whine and complain and huff and puff because expectations weren’t met?
Life is messy sometimes.
People are messy sometimes.
I am a mess quite a bit of the time!
And this is when we love anyway.
This is when we choose to set aside our petty annoyances, take a deep breath, and thank God that He gives us Grace and the power to Forgive.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Did you notice that “harrumphing” is not listed?
I did.
Oh, Dear Faithful God…
Sometimes it’s just so hard to live in disappointment. It’s tough when promises are broken, follow-through gets lost, or priorities aren’t in synch.
I think my way is the best or only way. And yeah, sometimes I am right. And there is good reason for my disappointment. But that’s not what really matters. And it doesn’t make my ugly reaction right.
Please help me with my response. Please forgive me for my resentment and unkind attitude.
Regardless of who is right, please give me the patience and kindness that my friend, spouse, child, colleague needs at that moment.
Amen.
