What We Don’t Expect…

I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Expect.” I love spending time with this crew, but life has been crazy and I’ve missed our Thursday night Twitter Parties. It was so good to get back. Check out FMF’s new home at http://fiveminutefriday.com. 

Do you ever wish that life was full of road signs? Go here, stop here, yield etc!  I know that I do. But then that is the reality of life, things happen that we dont expect. I am in a season of fog, of not knowing what is next. I want to so desperately know what is in store for me.

Now the reality is that it may not be what I expect. God might show up and call me to something completely different. Or God might lead me to a new place. These are expectations that I am looking for. Yet I have a feeling God is going to show up in ways I never expected.

I think of a pregnant mom who for nine months is told she is having a baby boy and then when the baby arrives, that baby is actually a girl. Or the foster dad who buys girls clothes and shows up at the hospital to find a baby boy. Or I think of how many of us expect God to answer our prayers but often God answers them in ways we never imagined.  God has a funny way of doing that, doesnt God?

I still don’t know what to expect is in my future, but I can trust in God; to trust that God will show up in ways I never imagined. Because the truth is God often knows more than we do. God knows what we need and shows us in that very place.

 

38 thoughts on “What We Don’t Expect…

  1. These are the times I try to remember that while I don’t know the future, I do know who holds it. And how good for all of us that I don’t know what’s ahead. I can only imagine the mess I’d make of it! 😉

  2. Tara, it can be hard to live each day in a waiting place, not sure what’s coming. Good for you putting your trust in God and expecting that He will show up in ways you never imagined. Sending you a virtual hug today, friend!

  3. I have been where you are, Tara. I can remember frustration from not knowing what was up ahead, but I can also remember that time being one of my most precious seasons with the Lord. I needed Him so much and He revealed Himself in life-changing ways. Praying for God to light the path for you one step at a time and for your trust to grow as He does. ((hugs))

  4. What have you been hoping for? God usually leads me into places I did not expect. But that is exactly what you were trying to say in your post. Dah! Enjoyed the read.

  5. That is not an easy place to be, but it is reassuring to remember that God has good plans for us even when they’re very different to what we expect.

  6. Haha, Tara. That’s exactly what happened to me with our second child. At first I was angry because I got pregnant much earlier than I wanted. My pastor’s wife warned me not to pass my anger onto my new baby. So I prayed that night and said, “God, please help me to love this new baby.” As soon as I turned out the light, I heard God say to me (almost audibly)… “Amanda.” I whipped the light back on and opened the baby name book. Amanda means “Worthy to be loved.” I KNEW that God was naming my child Amanda. It must be a girl.

    8 months later, I gave birth to a beautiful healthy BOY. We were beyond shocked! We hadn’t even asked for confirmation of boy vs girl, nor did we have a boy name ready. God had said “Amanda” and we had interpreted it literally.

    Since then, we giggle to ourselves and explain that God was actually saying, “Uh, it’s A MAN, DUH!” Silly, but the point remains… sometimes God is saying one thing (he’s worthy to be loved) and we interpret it according to our natural mind. But that’s ok too, as long as we learn to laugh at ourselves in the process.

    Rest, my friend, and enjoy the journey. He’ll tell you what you need to know at the right time. Until then, just relax and enjoy being His daughter.

    Shauna (your long-winded neighbour in FMF#44) 🙂

  7. you are so right tara:) i know the truth doesn’t always make the waiting any easier, but it helps to know GOD has our future totally under control. blessings as you wait for the next step.

  8. Living in the fog can be so hard 🙁 I too like to see exactly where we are heading, plotting it out, controlling the outcomes…. Feeling all the feels for you xx

  9. Tara, how blesses you are to have this circle of friends around you as you wait expectantly. I am inspired by reading everyone’s comments! “God knows what we need and shows us in that very place.” Absolutely! Your mind knows the truth. The hard part is keeping your body from trembling as you walk in this unknown place. Remember that Jesus is walking by your side.

  10. Tara my friend, I have been kind of MIA so I don’t know exactly what’s going on. I pray that you will be blessed as you see his will for you though and know that He knows.

  11. I know God has something truly special in store for you ahead, sweet friend. It’s not always easy getting through the fog, but you are indeed an amazing woman who always shares encouragement to so many others. There have been so many times where I never expected to be doing certain things with my life or living in places that I never planned along the way. But like you said with trusting in God for what lies ahead. He knows what He’s doing even when we don’t understand.

  12. Road signs? yes, all the yes. Learning to trust for a lot of things, more than ever right now. Thanks for the reminder. (and for visiting my blog! :))

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