New Expectations

My neighbor is a shark tooth collecting enthusiast. He loves combing the beach scouting out these small treasures — and he's found some big ones, really nice. We were comparing notes the other day, and I shared that I only ever find small to medium shark teeth, nothing really significant. He said, "That's strange. I only ever find the bigger ones, never the small or medium." We walk the same stretch of beach. Then he added, "I guess we only see what we are expecting to see."

Hmmm.

I wonder if that applies to other aspects of life. Do our eyes get attuned to our expectations? When we expect others to let us down, when we expect the world to be hard and the cards stacked against us, is that what we inevitably find? On the other hand, when our eyes grow accustomed to noticing God's hand at work, when we expect to find blessing upon blessing — is that in turn what we discover?

This isn't just positive thinking. It is, I think, a spiritual practice — a deliberate turning of our attention toward what is true and good and worth noticing.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable — if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)

And then he adds: "And the God of peace will be with you."

The question is simply this: what are you looking for?

Let us pray: Loving God, give us eyes to see your hand at work — even in the small things we have been walking right past. Attune our hearts to the goodness and beauty around us. May we greet each day with new expectations. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

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