This week's Five Minute Friday Challenge prompt was "expect". Go!

As I thought about this word, 2 things came to mind. One was the positive side of "expect". As in anticipation of something new, exciting or life changing as in expecting a baby or a new job. Those thoughts brought peace and joy to my mind. 

However, it was quickly followed by a reminder from the Lord that I had just heard a podcast by Joyce Myers and Billy Graham's daughter, Ruth Graham, on expectations. They talked about how we often have too many expectations of ourselves and of others. This podcast was a big ouch and a gentle nudging from the Holy Spirit that I often do that. I "expect" myself (and sometimes others) to act a certain way or do certain things. As we all know, that usually doesn't turn out well. Oh...I don't often verbalize these things, but in my mind and heart, it can turn ugly.  The "ouch" was the hidden part of those expectations. Expectations put me (and others) in a box. I certainly don't want to be in that box of expectation, because I know that I can't live up to those standards 100% of the time, make that most of the time. I'm trusting that the Lord is helping me to remove expectations of myself and others. I want to be free to act and do as the Lord directs. 

The only expectation I need to have is of God! He is the only one that I can expect to act the same way, time after time because He never changes! His promises are always true. I'm thankful for Philippians 1:6 (CEB)

^"I’m sure about this: the One who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus." 

STOP! 

How are you trusting Jesus to "stay with you" until He "completes the job"?  

This post is part of Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the brand new Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. This is an exercise in the discipline of writing.

(Link up page to the other blogs for this prompt - scroll to the bottom.)  

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