Freedom of Acceptance

Welcome to Expectations Headquarters, located at the epicenter of a busy mind.

As your tour guide, I will take you on a journey from frustration to freedom as we explore the exasperation of expectations and the peace that comes from acceptance.

Does everyone have their buddy? Okay, let's get started.

Our first stop is the area known as Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.

This area is filled with regret, rigidity, self-loathing, shame, control, ego, and entitlement.

Throughout the exhibit, you will find copious examples of high or unrealistic expectations riddled with a lack of gratitude, faith, and trust.

• I could have made something of myself

• I could have tried harder

• They could have treated me right

• It could have turned out better

• I could have followed God

• I should have said no; I should have said yes

• I should have done more; I never should have done that

• I should have known better; I should do better now

• This never should have happened to me

• I should do or be what they want, even if I don't want to

• I should do the "right" thing, even if it's not what I feel called to do anymore

• It would be alright if they would do it my way

• It would have been fine if they would have listened to me

• Life would have been great if only that wouldn't have happened

• Life would be grand if I had what they had

• It would be awesome if everything went just the way I planned

Is anyone else getting a headache from all the noise in here? We get a lot of complaints from visitors about how loud the Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda exhibit is. Please know that we are working on it.

Grab your buddy, and let's move on to the newest exhibit on our tour: Freedom of Acceptance. Parts of this exhibit are still under construction, so please pardon the mess.

As you can see, this exhibit is very quiet and calm (I think the soft harp music in the background is a nice touch, don't you?)

In this section of the mind, there is no if-then thinking. There is only acceptance and gratitude for what is and an eagerness to learn and adapt.

Here, there is no regret and rumination on what is in the past. There is only forgiveness, empathy, and understanding.

While there is hope and hard work bustling all around, there is an understanding that the outcome is often unknown, so acceptance and enjoying the moment is the goal.

Throughout the exhibit, you will see the ability to connect to feelings rather than veiled attempts to hide or push them away (I love how the harp music builds into a cinematic power ballad and then softens again when a feeling is felt and appreciated).

There is so much peace and quiet here; we could stay here forever!

But alas, our time together today has come to an end.

Before I bid you farewell, please let me direct your attention to the placard that hangs above the door to the Freedom of Acceptance section of our tour.

The peace of God flows from acceptance, gratitude, faith, and trust.

I don't know about you, but that is an expectation I chose to accept.

No more coulda, woulda, shoulda-ing all over ourselves.

It's time for us to choose peace, faith in God, and a trusting, quiet mind.

Besides, I do dig some harp music and power ballads.

Philippians 4: 4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6: 30-34

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.