GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

I recently came across the following quote by William Shakespeare: “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” Right off the cuff and without the need for any deep thinking, I said (huff),“ain’t that the truth!” But as I am a deep thinker, I got to thinking about EXPECTATIONS.

We all have them, every day, consciously or subconsciously. The more I thought about the word itself, the more I noticed it on a daily basis. The weatherman said to “expect rain” today. An obituary said the deceased had “died un-expectantly.” NASCAR “expects a large crowd” for the race this weekend. A friend is “expecting a child.” The plane is “expected to land” at 5:45 pm.” We “expect more” from people in positions of authority (pastors, police officers, doctors, etc.).

My personal favorite:  I “expect” my husband to come home from work at 5:15 pm every night and that he will call if he is going to be late. This is a subconscious expectation because he does this every day without fail. On one occasion recently, he was an hour late and did not call. I could not reach him on his cell phone and I, of course, “expected the worse.”

Without question, some of the greatest moments that we experience “expectations” are graduation from college, wedding day, and the birth of a child. In each instance, we anticipate so much of life ahead, yet life has a way of not turning out the way we “expect” it to! Here is where Shakespeare is right on the money! When our expectations do not come to fruition we feel disappointment but most often than not, heartache of one degree or another. Not to say that there are times when things EXCEED our expectations much to our delight!!

My wise Grandmother taught me to “never expect anything, and you will never be disappointed.”  I always admired my Grandmother’s easy way of life and taking things as they came! My Mother, on the other hand, taught me to “always expect the unexpected.” She was always telling us things like “don’t throw stones or play sword with a stick…you might poke someone’s eye out” and “wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident,”  and “make sure you have a dime in case you need to make a phone call” (wow, that was a long time ago)!!!  While both women taught valuable life lessons, expectations are a fact of life and how we deal with the disappointment is the key. Cliches like “everything happens for a reason” and “it wasn’t meant to be” are all fine unless you are on the hurting end of disappointment. The Bible tells us to “…count it all joy…” (James 1:2)

The Bible does not use the word “expect” or “expectation” very often but, rather, supposes the same emotions by the word “hope.” As I searched Strong’s Concordance I found the word “expectation” mentioned 14 times and the word “hope” used 130 times! Interestingly, when I cross referenced the scripture verse, the NKJV uses “expectation,” whereas, the NIV uses “hope” instead. Webster’s Dictionary defines “expect” as “to believe to be probable”; and “expectation” as “eager anticipation for something coming.”  The word “hope” is defined as “to want or wish for with confident expectation.” The Greek word for “hope” as used in the Bible is ELPIS, meaning “to desire with expectation of obtaining it. 

Clearly, “expectation” and “hope” are interchangeable words, however, as we go through our earthly lives and realize that life doesn’t always happen the way we EXPECT it to, one thing is certain and that is the hope that is in our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells it this way:  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1); and “…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..”  (Titus 2:13); and, “…hope does not disappoint…” (Romans 5:5).

...As Time Goes By..."

Recently a very dear man suddenly passed away. I never met him but I considered him a friend. He was, after all, on my "friends" list on a popular social network. His humor is what I thought of most and how much I would miss our bantering, of  how much he loved his wife and daughter, and what a good Christian man he was. My husband commented that I was the last one to write on his "wall" which started the ball rolling on this  blog.

About the same time, and still on this social network, a friend was posting comments that were so out of character for him that we were left wondering "what is he thinking" and more importantly, "is that how he wants to be remembered?" And as I looked at some other posts, I saw a common thread to each person. One is always posting crude jokes and remarks; one is always angry; yet another is filled with the joy of the Lord. I wondered if they stopped to think about their "last post" before they died, what would people remember about them, and would they even care?

 This brought me to thinking of  how we remember people, after they have passed or just from our past! I looked at my own "wall" and saw my last posts about my new "reds" (Converse sneakers), a post about my dog's seizures, and a daily Scripture verse. Photos of pets and family, etc. That about summed me up part and parcel! Boring to some, maybe.... There is another social network where interests are "pinned" on a virtual board. It can be a place of self-discovery and where memories are resurrected, where other people can share the same interest(s) and maybe even discover something about who you are!

So how do we remember people? When someone says "Ronald Reagan", do you think "actor" or do you think "president?"  More recent, Whitney Houston. Is she being remembered as the "superstar with a perfect voice" or the "junkie who overdosed"?

In the movie Casablanca, Sam the piano man, sang the lyrics, "...you must remember this..." and  "as time goes by..."  It's funny how certain things can bring on certain memories...a song, a photo, a fragrance, etc. Our memories can also play tricks on us and as "time goes by" our memory can fade or become distorted. A classic example is when families get together and everyone remembers a certain event but yet, everyone has a different memory of what happened! 

As is my custom in these blogs, I turn to Life's Instruction Manual and wonder what the Bible has to say about remembering. I was amazed to find that the word "remember" or variations thereof, is mentioned 210 times in the Bible!  Poor Noah is floating around the vast waters that covered the earth and "then God remembered Noah..." (Genesis 8:1). Good thing for Noah! Amen? But then God creates the rainbow so that HE would remember His covenant with Noah and every living creature (Genesis 8:13-17) As if God needs a reminder for anything! Fast forward to the New Testament where Jesus says that "..I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."  (Hebrews 8:12) (Thank you Lord)!

As I was reading through these many verses I asked myself  "how did Jesus want to be remembered?"  There are numerous "memorable" events in the Bible, but the number one verse that came to mind is at the Last Supper when Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 19-20). What greater way to remember someone than one who died for you?

And so I ask, how do you want to be remembered? As the "crazy cat lady" or the woman who loved animals?  As the "senile old man who gave his money away to strangers" or the philanthropist and good steward of  his fortune?  As the "crazy Jesus freak at the airport" or a man or woman after God's own heart? 

 I end with one thought to you. Make a conscience effort to live your life in such a manner as if this moment is the last moment remembered! More importantly, live your life as is pleasing to the Lord for He is your next destination waiting to say "...well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)