Friday, March 04, 2011

Expecting Hamburgers

They looked like hamburgers.

We ate them like hamburgers with buns and ketchup and mustard.

We told the kids they were like hamburgers because, well, they looked so much like the real thing.

The problem was, they weren't hamburgers.

They were black bean burgers and while they tasted good... they had no meat and tasted nothing like a hamburger.

Our expectations made a good meal seem less than stellar.

It's not the first time my expectations have gotten in the way.

Not that having expectations are bad (I don't think they are). But, if we give our expectations free rein, nothing in life will ever seem good enough. Living under that umbrella is a great way to make life a whole lot greyer. Expectations that become the standard can poison relationships, smother us in discontentment and steal our joy.

In my experience, its pretty much impossible to delete the art of expecting completely (and I really don't think we need to try), but it is possible to keep them in their proper place. Recognize them for what they are, but not let them become the standard by which life is measured.

Next time we have black bean burgers, we will not be dressing them up as hamburgers. Instead we will enjoy them for what they are and not what we are expecting them to be.

Have your expectations ever gotten in the way? Are all expectations bad? How do you keep your expecations in check?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

4 comments:

Tami said...

Great post, Mego! I feel like the death of relationships or bitterness towards God usually boils down to unmet expectations. It's good to keep in check the expectations I set in my mind and whether they're realistic and Biblical. I don't have any wise words for you...but I really enjoyed yours! Love ya.

megs @ whadusay said...

Hmmm Tami, for someone without any wise words, I thought your words were very wise. :)

The thought "the death of relationships or bitterness towards God usually boils down to unmet expectations" is a really good one to ponder. I totally agree that the standard to check our expectations with is the Bible. good thoughts!!

Marla said...

Did you really make black bean burgers?

megs @ whadusay said...

Well, of course! I wouldn't have blogged about it if I hadn't. Are you questioning my integrity mom??? :)

I'll make you some if you'd like!