Many people go through life having suffered from a series of major disappointments. This pattern of unfulfilled hopes and dreams creates adults who walk around with their glasses half full and their expectations low so they are no longer disappointed when things do not work out like they had hoped.
I never learned this.
Like Pollyanna I believe you can find the good in every situation and my glass is not only full, it is spilling over the edge onto the table and dripping on the floor.
Needless to say, I generally expect great things in life and even when things do not go exactly as planned, I still continue to expect great things. This life mentality may seem risky to those afraid of disappointment, but in looking for the great things in my every day life, I usually find them.
When it comes to mission trips however, expectations can be a dangerous thing to have. On my first mission trip when I was 16, I had no expectations because no one had ever been where we were going and no one on our team knew what to expect. This turned out to be a very good thing.
From that point on, I have always had an open mind when it comes to mission trips. I have found that when you are flexible with your expectations, you can see God move in ways you never imagined.
While having expectations may lead to disappointments, I have discovered that when I expect God to do great things, I am never disappointed.
I do not expect the World Race to be easy. But I expect the Lord will use this experience to help me grow.
I do not expect ministry to look like what I have imagined. But I expect that my eyes will be opened to new opportunities to serve.
I do not expect to never miss my family and friends at home. But I expect that my squad will become like family.
I do not expect to always feel rested and refreshed. But I expect that the Lord will give me strength even when I am weary.
I know that some of my expectations will not be met and will have to be dropped. But I know that with God ordering the steps of my journey, I can expect to see Him move in ways beyond my wildest dreams.
