We were told at Training Camp back in July that one thing we need to do to help us be successful on the World Race is to drop our expectations. We all have them, even when we think we don’t. You might be thinking to yourself “I don’t have any expectations,” but I’m sure when you woke up this morning you expected to be able to eat three meals, for your car to start, for your computer to work, to have heat in your house, to have Internet access, and many others. Many times we don’t even realize that we have expectations…until they go unmet.
I believe most relationships that go wrong probably went wrong somewhere because one or both people in the relationship didn’t have their expectations met. Sometimes these expectations are verbalized, but often times they go unspoken. Many times people are hurt because another person didn’t read their mind and fulfill an expectation they had, but never even spoke out.
All of us have expectations for ourselves, others, and even God. When your expectations go unmet, how do you react? Some disappointment is normal, but do you get stuck there? Does your disappointment turn into anger?
Our situation this month reminded me of the session at Training Camp on expectations. Our team was so excited for this month’s ministry. We were going to be working in a coffee shop that gives Vietnamese people a chance to work on their English. The goal is to build relationships, share our faith, and help get them plugged into a church. That’s a good thing to be excited and expectant about, right?
Well even good expectations can leave us disappointed though and if we don’t react correctly we can miss out on the blessings God has right in front of us. My team got here and the coffee house was in the process of moving locations. It was the Lunar New Year and all of the workers working on the new location were on an extended holiday. That meant we would not be doing coffee house ministry any time soon. We were bummed!
We are currently over half way through the month and the coffee house still isn’t open. We had to come to the realization that we couldn’t control when the coffee house is opened, but we can control our attitudes and reactions. We were honest about our feelings and disappointment and even voiced them to God. We also prayed and told God that we know He has a plan and is in control and that He has our highest good in mind. We asked God to show us how to minister to the people here and to allow us to connect with people whose lives we can pour into.
To help get our minds on positive things and to help ourselves be grateful, we took a couple of minutes to all made a list of all of the things we are grateful for. (My list is below.) Counting your blessings in times of disappointment is a good way to change your attitude. Making this list helped us to realize that at the end of the day all our needs are met and we really don’t have anything to complain or be disappointed about.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
What am I thankful for? In no particular order…
My relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit
Elaina
Clothes (more than I need)
Shoes (more than I need)
My Jeep
Food
Water
A cool breeze
The smell of fresh cut grass
My 5 senses
My physical health
The way I look
That God made me unique
That I’m American
That I can love others
That I’m loved
My Mom
My Dad
Thea and Adam
Tarah and Seth
Tori and Tim
Sam, Zeke, and new baby Ledyard
Gideon, Jericho, Haven and Ephraim
Packer Beau and Gamba
Grandma and grandpa Truesdale
Grandma Rayanne
Aunts, uncles, and cousins
Basketball
Good music
The lake
Laughter
Friends
New relationships
Old relationships
Contentment
Basketball shorts
Sweats
I’m able to compete
Desserts/sweets
I’ve been able to coach
Wins
Losses
Lessons learned
Other cultures
God’a protection
Traveling
I’m a man
A bed
The Bible
Hoodie weather
Football
Sports
Mentors
Mentees
Internet
Phones
Good advice
Ability to dance
The wheel
To be able to ride a bike
Airplanes
The world race
All the teams I’ve ever been a part of
Fans
Hugs
Kisses
Grace
Mercy
Walks in the park
The hustle and bustle of the city
The quiet of the country
Past jobs
Ice cream
Dreams
Movies
My singleness
Ending my singleness soon
Freedom
Being able to share the gospel
A fire
Hot showers
Cold showers when it’s hot
Rhythm
Dancing
