| Upon reflection, there are many things I never expected to see either. And three graduations—high school, college and graduate school—are among them. The "big day" always seemed distantly future, right up until the last moment. Then it rapidly faded into the mist of the past. I never expected to see the death of my parents; they were always there. But when Daddy died in 2005 at 93, I inexorable moved to the head of the family line. Neither did I expect to bury a child, but death came anyway. Surprised at receiving a five-year service award at work, I certainly never expected to remain there another whole lifetime—27 more years. I never expected to retire, but the past five years make me question whether I ever had a real job. Time was when I never expected to see the year 2000, being that I would be unimaginably old: 54 years, right up there with the fossils. But my expectations neither hastened nor retarded the new millennium's relentless march into reality. I never thought I'd willingly pay someone to do jobs I could do myself. But I regularly engage others to repair vehicles, prepare taxes, and change oil. Money well spent, I now admit with no reluctance. Since Mother lectured us that cats carry germs and suck the breath out of babies, I never expected to touch, much less own, one of the irksome rascals. Instead, I've been happily owned by quite a passel of the furry critters for nigh onto 40 years. I never expected to lose my love for radios and electronic gadgets—designing, building, repairing, using. But such coldness has gradually crept in that I'm almost repelled by the needs of my boughten computer. "It'll only take an hour or so to fix it," I invariably assure Mary. One day I'll learn to speak of days, not hours. I never expected to see grandchildren, but Jackson Barrett has graciously spoiled that non-vision. Grandchildren are highly underrated! Since I've not done so well thus far with expectations, are there any lessons here? Perhaps. In about a week we'll plunge headlong into another new year fraught with uncertainty. Nevertheless, I always approach this occasion with a marked degree of hopefulness. And are there any things I don't expect this coming year? Many. I don't expect that worry will improve my lot one iota but do expect that it will stir up a fierce nest of problems if I give in to it. The Bible admonishes, "Don't be anxious about anything, but pray about everything." What we think, speak and dwell upon has a remarkable of coming into being. So I don't expect to succumb to the fruit of puny expectations. From the mouth of Jesus: "Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you." I don't expect to be abandoned by the same good and gracious God who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. May the same confidence be yours in this coming year! And may He richly bless you with heavenly expectations He longs to fulfill! Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright. Other uses require written permission. |