mother’s Day Expectations

They took me to Fazoli's.

It was a Sunday morning, and it was Mother's Day. The morning was hurried and frazzled, as many Sunday mornings are. Nothing seemed to go smoothly with the kids, and to top it all off, my hubby and I were super tense with each other. And, NO ONE even said, "Happy Mother's Day."

I was disappointed and felt unseen by my family. It was supposed to be MY DAY. And no one even cared. I was sulking in my skin, and the pity party was rocking. And then, to top it all off, in recognition of Mother's Day, they took me to Fazoli's, Italian fast food. This was not my idea of a special Mother's day lunch.

Fortunately, the Lord was gentle and kind to me. I realized that the problem was not what I didn't get. It was what I expected to get. My friend Lindsay Lambert taught me this principle: You always lose with expectations. You either are disappointed when they are not met, or you are not grateful when they are.

This mother's day turned into a lesson in expectations. I chose the reactions to the typical Sunday morning hurry. I decided to be disappointed with the lack of words of love and recognition of my mothering. I was offended that the lunch that day was not my choice on "my day." I could have chosen grace, giggles, and gratitude.

Do I ever struggle with unmet expectations or lack of gratitude? Yes. But on Mother's Day? NOPE! I am now always grateful for the hand-drawn picture. I delight in every hug, and I am just so tickled with every big or small gesture. I don't expect ANYTHING on Mother's Day, so I am always full of delight!

Now, if I could just learn this lesson for all the days of my life! I am so grateful that Jesus delights in the journey of growth in my life. And most of all, I am so thankful that He is faithful to meet the expectations (promises) He has told us we can be sure He will satisfy. Oh Lord, teach us to release people from our expectations!

"Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakable kingdom, we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe." Hebrews 12:28

~Karna Atkinson