There are some people I know who are going through difficult problems right now…cancer, depression, severe arthritis, and other maladies. Today Isaiah 40:31 comes to mind when I think and pray for them. In spite of everything, they still will manage to have a…Happy Sunday.
“But they that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Suddenly there seems to be much sad news coming my way. Families of friends are becoming ill, some to the point of no return. In the news people are being randomly killed for no known reason. As one lady I know begins treatment for advancing cancer, she commented, “This too shall pass.”
Which brings me to today’s message…there is always hope.
Unfortunate but true, isn’t it? If we want to have the rainbow, we have to deal with the rain…and so many of us do. It’s not just those dreary rainy days that nature feeds its own, but the sadness that grips us when life feeds us our share of tragedy. Still, we must look for that rainbow, otherwise we will never experience the goodness of life that lingers on. Wishing you rainbows this Saturday.
These two words have preyed upon my thoughts lately and I’ve been weighing the pros and cons.
It is said that lowering one’s expectations leads to more happiness and compassion. But for whom? For the one whose expectations are lowered or the one who does not live up to someone’s expectations…or even their own? One online expert said, “We’re happier to accept other people’s difficult behaviors when we expect less from them.” Hmmm, I’m not so sure.
What actually is an expectation? One dictionary’s interpretation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future. For me it was adding the word wonderful to that something.
I have lived my life with this premise and nearly always had my expectations met, making it difficult to lower my expectations of anything or anyone. It would be like giving up hope.
The pros for lessening expectations seem to dictate that if you don’t expect the best from people or life you won’t be disappointed when the best fails to materialize.
On the other hand, the cons, at least for me, would be giving in to the feeling of apathy that accompanies losing hope and I can’t do that.
In many cases in my life, it was someone else’s high expectation of me that brought me through eighty-one years of fairly successful living.
When we were children, we expected our parents would always be there for us; we expected hugs when we needed them and scoldings when they were needed as well. We expected to be fed, clothed, counseled, nurtured, and sent out into the world to in turn, one day expect to do these things for others. As life goes on expectations change…not because they are lowered, but perhaps because we fail to see what is expected of us.
So, I think instead of lowering my expectations I will instead extend the time frame of what I expect to when I expect it.
That way I still have hope.
Don’t you love when something unexpected comes your way? While pondering my next daily blog, this email came my way to save the day. I love when that happens!
“SIX LITTLE STORIES” – well worth the 30 seconds to read!
{1} Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That’s FAITH.
The deed was done. Jesus was dead. No one knew what was to come.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Sometimes sadness comes when we are looking forward to a happy weekend. I hope your Saturday will be happy but if sadness touches your day, may hope touch your heart.
“In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree, in cocoons, a hidden promise “…Happy Sunday!
Sometimes we just cannot help sharing something that touches us in a profound way. That’s how I feel about this hymn. The words are truly so promising and deserve to be pondered as well as sung.
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
What a beautiful promise!
While wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday, I am aware that it is a sad day for many. Here is what the Dalai Lama recommends:
My Precious Life 