Expectation vs. Expectanct

Last night, for whatever reasons, I had difficulty finding the words to explain the difference between expectation and expectancy so I asked Lonna. Here is what I learned.

If we know what we want, expect it, and then don’t get it, we can become hurt, angry, and sad. We have set ourselves up for disappointment because of our expectations.

Think of a child at Christmas. The child writes Santa a letter expecting specific gifts.
Christmas morning comes, the child runs to the tree and sorts through the gifts. The present may be wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbon. The child thinks he knows what’s in the box, but when he opens it, it is something he wasn’t expecting. Then comes the disappointment.

Think of expectant parents that want a specific sex for their unborn child. If they expect a boy and have a girl, they set themselves up for disappointment.

Expectancy is a belief that life sustains and supports us in our highest and greatest good. Without question, we know that whatever life brings us is always perfect.

We let go of expectations and agendas. We don’t lie or manipulate to get what we want. We have learned the lessons that when we resort to lies or manipulation, we sometimes think we get what we want, but it doesn’t satisfy us. The real tragedy is that we settle for the quickest, easiest solution. Though victory may be swift, it is fleeting-it slips though our hands as quickly as it emerged. When we lie, we lie to others and to ourselves. When we manipulate in order to manifest a specific outcome, we never know what the ultimate outcome would have been. We think we are smarter than everyone, including God.

With expectancy, we hold a larger vision than we are capable of holding for ourselves. We create and hold the space for God’s goodness to come into our life. We allow “it” to come to us. We are filled with anticipation and joy. We know not how it comes to us. We surrender to God, knowing everything is in Divine and perfect order. We are grateful, knowing that the perfect situation is ours by surrendering and allowing God to provide all the blessings that are ours.

~Michelle
www.MichelleTaylor.com
Carrollton, Texas