Okay, after a brief hiatus in which my computer went with my husband to Chicago (truly, I missed my husband more) we are back online. I've been thinking the past week about praying expectantly. It's part of a Bible study I'm leading. I've realized, through the course of this study, that I do not always pray with expectation. And, I've found that if I'm not praying with expectation, then I am not living with expectation. I don't bring everything to God, because deep down, I don't always believe that God cares. I also worry at times that God won't hear or act on my prayers because I am not "good enough". As a life-long Christian, I know in my head this is not true. But my heart doesn't always live it out. And so, I've decided that I am going to embark on a journey to live expectantly. I worship a God, THE God, who created the world and all that is in it. He knows every hair on my head, and yours as well. He parted the sea with a word, breathed life into the dead, and is the only being who has ever EVER pulled off a true resurrection! I need to expect more!!
I need to wake up each morning feeling that God has exceeded himself in just giving me another day with my husband and my boys, another day in which I can get out of bed and work for him. And, I need to revel in God's faithfulness, praising God for providing for me each and every day, for knowing the plans he has for my life. I need to live expectantly.
So, my question for you is this: Where has God exceeded your expectations?
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
Well, I got married at 40, had my first child at 42 and my second at 45 and I never thought I would ever get married let alone have children and I was content with that, but oh what I would have missed. Now I just long for one night of uninterrupted sleep.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a wonderful testimony! That is definitely exceeding expectations!! I hear you on the one night of uninterrupted sleep. My parents tell me it won't happen until they're at least 18!! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteLately, I've been thinking A LOT about having faith when I pray. I mean the Bible does say that we can move mountains with the faith the size of a musterdseed, so for me, living expectantly would include expecting God to answer my prayers...to do great things. You know? Jesus did all kinds of miracles for people when He walked the earth. I think I should expect that same kind of power in my own life now.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I didn't exactly answer your questions. I rambled. Sorry.
-FringeGirl
I think you're absolutely right! Although, I think that when we pray expectantly, we also have to respect the sovereignty of God and accept that he might not answer our prayers the way we want or when we want. In fact, we might go years and years before seeing the fulfillment of God's plan. My mom always says, "Man proposes, God disposes."
ReplyDeleteThis is so real and honest - thank you!
ReplyDeleteThere are too many to list of how God has exceeded my expectations. I think though I feel it most when I think of His grace. He didn't have to send His son, but He did. Wow!
Big Fat Mama
Great post. I love your outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that comes to mind right now about God exceeding my expectations is blogging. I started blogging for a number of reasons but making friends wasn't one of them. One of the nicest aspects of blogging is the people I have "met." It's not quite the same as an in real life friend but I'm very thankful for my blog friends and that includes you. I'm glad our paths crossed.
Me, too! :-)
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