Below Expectations

“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” 

Psalm 65:11

Nearing December 25 and for days following, financial analysts reported that retail sales for the season fell below expectations. That expression, “below expectations,” resonated with me. Sometimes Christmas doesn’t meet our expectations either. We expect people to give us more of themselves than they can or want to; we expect the holiday season to look like a made for TV movie; we fight a flu bug and are disappointed that our holiday plans didn’t materialize as we had expected. When we put our head on our pillow, we rewind the video of the holiday season and sometimes conclude that Christmas fell below our high expectations.

As we approach a new year, what are your expectations for 2008?  Have you set goals or made resolutions? Are you expecting too much of yourself or others? Are you making an unrealistic list that will be thrown away by February? My resolution for 2008 is simply one word, “focus.”  I want to focus on the Lord and His priorities for me; focus on the big picture rather than get wrapped up in circumstances or relationships over which I have no control.  I want to focus on making choices that count and I want to weigh my choices in light of my focus—what pleases God.  Joshua told the Israelites to “consecrate themselves to the Lord.”  Why? So that they would have the right focus and see God work in their lives.  David said that he would gaze upon the beauty of the Lord—he wanted to focus!  In 2008, can we focus?  I want to. I want to let God work in and through me. I want to rest my head on my pillow each night and securely say that my day fell above my expectations ---because they were His.

Reflections:  Perhaps this would be a good time to read how God exceeded the expectations of people throughout Bible history. If you keep a journal, make a point of recording weekly, how God exceeded your expectations. You may discover new treasures when you do: peace, grace, strength, an answer to prayer….

Chicken Soup

There is nothing like expecting a comfort food on a cold winter day. This easy recipe meets that expectation!

1 cup chopped celery

2 cups chopped carrots

1 6 oz package long grain and wild rice mix

10 cups chicken broth

3 cups diced cooked chicken

2 bay leaves

1 tsp. thyme

Sauté celery and carrots in butter and transfer to a large pot.  Add rice mix with seasoning packet, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Enjoy!