From Unmet Expectations To Realized Blessings
Mr. 4-Ever was at deer camp last week. It made me think of this funny story.
It happened several years ago but the lesson is as true today as it was then.
71601099 – chick flick, article text in newspaper
Girlfriend! It is my expectation that when daddy goes deer hunting, mama gets a staycation complete with chick flicks and good chocolate! Not that decoy candy you keep around so your kids stop looking for your stash.
When my man goes to deer camp with the boys it means there will be no one in my house asking for food, beverages, clean socks or a back rub. There will be no one who needs advice, an extra $20.00 or a ride somewhere. There will be no one playing the piano badly, tracking a trail of mud through my kitchen, or falling off the jungle gym requiring a trip to ER.
Deer hunting camp is great for everyone. The boys will eat bacon at every meal, sit around a fire sharpening knives to throw at trees and not change their undies for two or three whole uncivilized days.
I could hardly wait for their adventure and my staycation.
In preparation, I went to the video store and pre-selected the chick flicks I would rent the second Mr. 4-Ever’s truck disappeared from view.
I squirreled away deli treats and expensive cheeses, hiding them in the recesses of the frig where no one would find them. I bought sparkling flavored water and good chocolate which I kept hidden in the trunk of my car until the magic moment.
Finally, on the appointed day, my camo-clad men departed for the north woods and I scurried to the video store. I came home I locked the door and pulled the shades. I set up my TV tray of delicacies and pushed play on the first movie.
An hour later I heard a key in the door!
What manner of surprise is this?
My son, the firefighter, (who was on call that weekend and couldn’t go to deer camp with the rest of the crew), was at the door. “Hey, mom, whatcha doin? I thought you might be lonely since everybody is gone, so I decided to come over to keep you company.”
I stared at him incredulously thinking,“Oh, look at my considerate boy,” and then just a quickly, thought “What just happened here!?!”
He plopped down on the couch next to me. “Can you rub my shoulder? I think I pulled a muscle,” he said as he reached for a buttery prosciutto and Havarti cracker sandwich.
“What are you watching?” he asked, looking at the paused movie on the TV. “Have you seen the movie Drive Real Fast and Wreck as Many Cars as Possible in 90 minutes yet? Oh, and the entire Testosterone Trilogy is on Netflix!”
I turned off my chick flick and we watched a marathon of masculine adventure shows. I rubbed his shoulder. We ate my snacks, and he thoroughly enjoyed my sparkling water and exquisite chocolates.
“You should get this stuff more often, it’s really good!” he exclaimed.
“Isn’t it though!” I replied.
When the last movie ended, he said, “Mom, I’m kinda worried about you all alone in the house, I think I’ll stay here with you to make sure everything is okay.”
I took a deep breath.
“Of coarse, I’d love to have you here.”
He stayed with me 36 hours. We watched more man-movies. We ate all my stash of treats, we played games, we talked about his future, his woman and his dreams.
It was glorious.
Even if it wasn’t my plan.
61642421 – count your blessings inspirational message with watercolor petals and black frame
It was unexpected, but I purposed to let go of my expectations and count my blessings.
Sometimes, God hands you a delicious change of plan that is nothing you would have chosen, but exactly the encouragement, reminder or encounter you need.
Prayer: Father, thank you for my family, my biological family, my adoptive family and my family in the Body of Christ. I am keenly aware of my need to live life with them. Let me always remember the gift that they are as I serve you and serve them. Amen.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galations 6:9-10 NIV)