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 with him 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? Do we only see what we are expecting to see?

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 get attuned to noticing God’s hand at work in our lives, when we grow accustomed to seeing other’s small acts of kindness, when we expect to find blessing upon blessing, is that in turn what we discover? I don’t know. But this does raise the question: what are you looking for?

The Apostle Paul once wrote, “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

And then he adds these words, “And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let us pray: Loving God, give us eyes to see your hand at work, and hearts to sense the goodness and beauty around us. May we greet this day with new expectations. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.