Nothing Like I Expected
“If life looks like you expected it to look, then you’re doing something wrong” – that’s the thought that came to mind while I was blanching tomatoes the other day.
Today I’m 59 and Friday, I will celebrate 38 years with my Forever Man.
I’m throwing My Plan Book out the window.
My expectations? Just a drop in the bucket compared to what He’s planned. Those dreams? They’re just shadows of His plans!
Nothing in my life has met my expectations. Because of God, they have exceeded my expectations.
I’m the Oliver Twist in a Faith Story who was brave enough one day to carry the soul bowl of myself to Him and ask, “Can I have some more, Sir.”
I don’t know how much more He has – but it’s more than I can imagine. Just when I think I’m filled to the brim, I realize there’s room in my soul for more – more growth, more ability to love, more room to love, more to learn.
Is life perfect? Of course not. But God is perfecting me through each challenge, each heart ache, each mistake that puts a dent in the important stuff.
Letting go of my Expectations to Live in Expectation of His Plan? I don’t know what it will look like, what it will feel like. I don’t know if I’ll have more time to sit long and read much. I don’t know what the answer will look like to all my prayers sent out, but I know His answer will be better than anything I could come up with. No – I’m throwing all my expectations out the window to live in Expectation of The One Who Guides me on My Journey – because it’s the journey that’s so important.
Watching
Waiting
In Expectation
Trusting
Believing
God had more
For you and me
Than we know.
It’s all about the journey with my King, my Father, My Creator – it’s about finding
the snug spot under His wing,
refreshing in His shadow,
the room He’s prepared in His house
my place at His table
His bottle collection
– and the one with my name
that holds each tear
the paths He wants me to take that seem
too much for me – but He makes a way
straightening them and leveling them
Day by Day,
Year by Year
trust in the Shepherd
who teaches with care
The King who sends His angels
to encamp about and protect me.
my rock, my fortress
my deliverer
My Father
My King
My Creator
No! Life doesn’t look like I expected it would. I must be doing something right! It’s so much better than I imagined!
Remember Me Monday: #48 & Linky
“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings,
all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God,
his great goodness to the family of Israel—
Compassion lavished,
love extravagant.”
~ Isaiah 63:7, The Message
In the Old Testament, God repeatedly, quietly and loudly, tells his children, “You have forgotten me!” (Jeremiah 3:32, Ezekiel 22:12, to name a few). It’s a heart cry from a father to a child who has forgotten all the love, all the saving, helping, little and big blessings – and it leaves me stunned when I realize our Father, the creator of the universe, who knows things I cannot begin to fathom, who authors storylines that leave me amazed, delights in all of us so much, He cries out, “Remember Me.”
While every day is a Remember God Day, I am inviting you to join me on Monday mornings to come by and remember what God has done for you, for your family. Maybe God sent a cardinal darting out in front of you, as if to tell you, “I’m here,” or broke a child’s fever after you laid it all down at His feet in a 2 a.m. bedside vigil. Maybe He stood with you in the wait of a prayer sent out, or brought someone you loved to Christ. Maybe He healed your broken heart, gave your courage, or you gave Him your dreams as a love offering only to have Him give them back in an unimaginable way. Maybe God helped you survive to bedtime after a crazy Monday, or forgive yourself for missing it with your kiddos –– Whatever it is, let’s Remember Him. . . in a “Remember Me Monday” love letter.
“My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
Of your salvation all the day long,
Though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord”
~ Psalm 71:15-16.
Let us delight in Him by telling the stories of what He’s done! If you wrote a blog post remembering what He’s done for you, join the linky. If you didn’t but still want to praise Him for what He’s done – write it in the comment section. Then visit a comment before or after yours! One of the beautiful things about the blogging community is the relationships it builds!
Rules? Write long or short, a list or a story, include photos or not. Just Remember Him and what He has done, and let the gratitude of your heart guide you. Let’s make Monday so Rejoice, that the goodness of God spills into the rest of the week!
Places I’m Linking at This Week:
Inspire Me Monday, Instaencouragements,
Legacy Link-Up, Recharge Wednesday
Faith on Fire, Tell His Story, Grace&Truth
Let’s Have Coffee Wednesday Celebrate Your Story
I have always been an organizer and one who “needed” to know what the next step was, what tomorrow would bring, the outcomes, etc. Of course, we know that those imaginations of one’s organizer mind, those things rarely fall the way I hoped, intended them to be. But God’s plans are perfect and so grateful that I am learning (still) to allow Him to orchestrate each step. I love your Oliver Twist bowl analogy. I shall be singing “Gruel, Wonderful Gruel” for this morning, hearing him start off with “More, please, sir.” “MORE?!!!” Yes, Lord more. I want more of you.
My boys love quote that Oliver Twist line to me! LOL – I’m someone who likes to know what’s going to happen so I can be prepared, too – even it just says, “Hour of chaos” but God has slowly, knowing the pace I’ve needed, teaching me to trust, to let go of my control and hold on to His! We both are learning the steps to this action-filled, adventure-filled, blessing-filled (if we’re willing to see them) journey with our Father! Glad to be sharing this faith walk with you! So glad when we ask for More of Him, He smiles and fills our soul bowls! ~ Maryleigh
I must be doing something right, too, because this life is nothing like I had planned.
Hey, love your poem – this line spoke to me: “it’s about finding the snug spot under His wing.”
Happy birthday, Maryleigh. May your day be epic.
Oh, that snug spot, Jerralea! Where we fit just right – like we belong there – because He says we do!! Not hugged in too tight or too loose but just right!That imagery just makes me want to settle there for awhile! My celebration had such sweet moments that my heart just overflowed! Not on one day – but through the whole week. I’ve learned that if I try to rush my crew with my “expectations” – I don’t get to experience the good stuff that comes from their hearts! So I just wait in expectation of what their heart has to give. I was not disappointed! Thank you for the wishes! Shalom, friend! ~ Maryleigh
Beautiful and inspiring post. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Sandra! So glad you stopped by! Shalom! ~ Maryleigh
Lovely post Maryleigh!
My life has definitely been different to any plans I ever had with many twists & turns along the way! But God has blessed me none the less!
And I join you in wanting “more of God” less of Jennifer!
Blessings,
Jennifer
It sounds like we are living God’s All is Well (2 Kings 4:26) plan – even when it certainly doesn’t feel all is well – or maybe look all is well – but if we hold on to Him, He makes all well! Standing in that Holy Spirit river of more with you, Jennifer! Shalom, friend! ~ Maryleigh
Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary! And you are so right … life has not looked like anything I (we) ever expected. My husband & I have always said that if there is an easy way and a hard way to do something, we always ended up doing it the hard way 🙂 But I would not trade our lives for anything. God has blessed us in so many ways, it was all worth it! This line is so true >> “It’s all about the journey with my King, my Father, My Creator …” Blessings, friend!
Our King – Our Father – when we walk it with Him – He takes us on an All is Well journey – it might not feel like it or look like it, but He makes it well. I understand doing things that hard way! And God just patiently waits till we turn to Him to help! What a good! Good Father we have Joanne! ~ Maryleigh
I hope you had a wonderful week!
Barb, I think I’m learning to let my boys love me in their own ways – and throw my expectations of what that looks like! They brought me the sweetest smiles, the best hugs – and sweet surprises that just melted my heart! Nothing like I expected – and so much the better! Thank you for your well-wishes!
Happy Birthday dear Maryleigh! May the Lord bless you so richly this year. Your poem touched me so deeply, and this stanza really struck a deep chord with me:
“the paths He wants me to take that seem
too much for me – but He makes a way”
Oh, amen! He will make that way open before us, when there is no other way. May I trust Him more too. Prayers and blessings for you!
I receive that blessing, Bettie! May we both trust Him more – and may we find the rich blessings He has in store for us! Shalom sweet friend! ~ Maryleigh
Happy Belated Birthday, Maryleigh! I so appreciate your perspective. It’s one I need to remember when life feels overwhelming. Thank you for your words. I’m especially pondering this today:
“But God is perfecting me through each challenge, each heartache, each mistake that puts a dent in the important stuff.”
I hope your coming year holds many joyful memories!
The daily overwhelms are like the little foxes to my vine so many times! Learning to let go so much easier and just ride the ride with Him! I am a work in progress. I’m standing in faith God has many joyful moments stored and planned for me! I’m expecting it!
This was so encouraging to me today. Thank you.
Thank you, Lauren! Shalom, friend!
Happy, happy Birthday Maryleigh!! And congratulations on 38 years of marriage!! Such a good post reflecting on our life’s expectations. WOW, I must be doing something right, too, because my story is nothing like I would’ve written, but so much better! My expectations are shallow and selfish, while God’s have been life giving, life transforming and eternal!
Yes! So much better! Despite the heart-aches, the challenges, the things gone all wrong – He has made my story and yours so much better! He is The Best Dad!