The tyranny of goals and expectations on top of an uber-full life for months on end has left me overwhelmed, discouraged and tired. Can you relate? Chronically feeling like a failure for not getting it all done, rarely enjoying the ride? From beneath the boulder of expectation, it’s difficult to appreciate the view.
But the first robin of spring arrived last week in the midst of a surprise winter storm. And I can’t get her out of my mind.
When she followed the nudge to move north toward spring, I doubt she expected the sudden blanket of white. Yet she didn’t give up or turn back and go home. She simply accepted what came. Went about plucking up worms from the snow.
I want to live that way.
Then, as if to be sure I didn’t miss the message, a wise friend called to say this: LIFE is an interruption!
After much grappling, I’ve decided to live life a new way. Open. Less guarded. In wonder of what comes. Willing to be delighted. Letting go of my rope around the day.
So yes, we will move forward. Dig deeper when that is required. But let go the tyranny of expectation, trusting God with the sum of each day. We might just live a better life that way.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:5
Amen.
QUESTION: How might you begin to embrace what comes when life is not what you expected? Please share in the Comments.
I always receive good encouragement from bird watching. Thank you for the beautiful picture!
Don’t you just love how God can and will use everything for our encouragement? The whole world is just a beautiful photo op waiting to happen : )
Yup, nature does it for me, the sky, clouds, the sea, animals…LOVE the colours God uses!! Love to see how happy animals can be just BEing
I know D’ahah, don’t they always just remind you of simple truth? And nothing like spring and the life and sunlight to remind us of all that’s possible.
Joanna, love the wings of joy unveiled by your insightful summary ” Let go of the tyranny of expectations, trusting God with the sum of each day”
Thanks Terri, Thanks to YOU for that phone call reminding me the “Life is an interruption”. I don’t know about you but that word “tyranny” was a revelation to me. These expectations are just lies. An axe I hold over my own head. And inner dictator that I have the ability to listen to, or ignore. Taking every thought captive to Christ… Even if I have to remind myself 1000 times a day, isn’t it so much more JOY-full to let go of the rope and enjoy the day?
Thanks for a beautiful message from a little robin, Joanna. Truly, the key to living the abundant life is in accepting what comes our way. Not always easy. Nor fun. But I take comfort in the fact that God walks beside us, no matter the circumstance–and carries us when necessary.
I love that Carol, that ‘living the abundant life is in accepting what comes our way.” So true. I love knowing He walks beside us. So why is it so hard to stop trying to carry myself? : ) Seems so ridiculous when you realize Who is always with us. Words of wisdom welcome…