Expectations

So today was the long awaited MOPS registration and first meeting which I had been greatly looking forward to. I'm glad I went and I hope to form some new, lasting friendships with other women in similar situations with a common faith. We did some ice breakers, made some crafts, and got to know each other a little bit....no sparks flew and no play date is scheduled, in fact nothing is scheduled until next month. I think I went into it expecting too much for the first meeting. I don't know exactly what I expected, like I would be leaving there laughing and exchanging stories with my new best friend on our way to lunch or something. I think I was just so ready for an outlet that I thought things would go differently than they did. I tend to do this to myself in so many areas...it's pathetic actually. I'll create these grandiose ideas in my head of the way I think something will go and then I'm let down or discouraged when it doesn't go like I thought. The worst part is that nothing leads me to believe that things will be that way, just my own silly fantasies. I guess it's the dreamer in me or the side of me that always looks for the positive...either way I need to learn to appreciate certain things simply for what they are, not what I think they should be or hoped they would be. If I truly think something should be different than it is I need to do something about it, not just sigh and wish it would have been better.

Side note....I had the second and last step in placing my new crown on my tooth today and I am thoroughly displeased with our dentist. He never said two words to me, just slapped on the crown and went about his business. This is also where I waited for 3 hours 2 weeks ago. I don't like that, then again maybe I expected too much. That day that I waited 3 hours and was discouraged with how distracted I allow myself to become I spent some good time with God that evening and He showed me something. He pointed out to me that although I had to wait and although the people weren't the most polite, I made sure to be understanding and forgiving. He helped me recall my actions that day and I actually did go out of my way to make sure that they knew I wasn't upset and I understood that these things happen. I waited patiently and spoke kindly....it didn't go unnoticed in that office or by God. I felt so much better when He showed that to me...no matter what I'm doing, I'm serving. I don't always do well, in fact, more often than not I do poorly, but this simple, subtle example reminded me to put Him in the small stuff because He sees. No effort is wasted, each and every victory over the flesh is a battle won for Him and that is never insignificant no matter how small it feels to me.