They Just Might Surprise You.

Expectations are a real thing.  They can be good, as they push us towards something better and hold us accountable.  However, when we place expectations on another we have to be careful.  I am not talking about general expectations, such as kindness and sincerity.  For the sake of this moment, I am talking about the perhaps, more unachievable expectations.  For a long time, I tried to manipulate your dad with my expectations.  I pushed him to be more extroverted, to be a boisterous leader, to be a different kind of fun.  You know what?  I was always sorely disappointed.  It just wasn't him.  It wasn't who God created him to be.  That box I wanted to squeeze him into just could never, ever contain him.

As you pursue relationships, be cautious with your expectations.  There is a time to encourage and refine and push.  However, a lot of the time that is God's work.  And you know what?  They just might surprise you.  Those little expectations you had will be blown way, way out of the water.  And you'll be left wondering, why you ever thought that little box was the very best for him in the first place.

The surprise is infinitely better.

Day 7 of 31 of the #write31days challenge