Skip to main content

Hope expectations.

Settling into a new job with new expectations. My expectations and the, some known and some yet to find out, expectations others have of me.

And yet I’m finding the greatest challenge is knowing how to expect hopefully when it comes to those I am there to walk alongside. What do hopeful expectations look like without them being totally coloured by my perspective?

Perspective. The way we see life is coloured by our lives; what we have lived and are living. What does hope look like through my perspective, but more importantly, through the perspective of the ones I am wanting to carry hope for?

Potential. Interacting with people who walk with less hope. Seeing the potential they have which has been quenched by choices they’ve made. Or rather, the potential is there, but the walking fully in it is a different path than the one they have chosen. How do you help them look at themselves not through a lens of failure, but through the lens of hope and possibility?

Patience. I am realising that my hope and my expectation can’t be put on them as a formula for moving forward. For some the only expectation they are able to fulfil is to come and sit. In their journey that is a victory. In their journey that is what takes courage and everything they can muster up the strength to do. And I want to see that. I want to join with them right where they find themselves in the journey of life, and walk at their pace. Standing with them when they stop, cheering them on when they move forward, and seeing the path of hope for them when all they see is mountains in front of them. Giving them the dignity of choosing the pace at which they walk. And giving them the freedom to choose a different path if they want, accepting that the same way as I have freedom to choose how I live my life, they also have the freedom of choice. Even if that is making choices that aren’t good.

And so I find myself in this new assignment, new job, new part of my journey. And I am still figuring out how I do this. How to expect more, while at the same time not burdening with my expectations. How to hope more, while at the same time not making that hope distant and unattainable, but something within reach.

It’s a journey for them, and it is definitely a journey for me. And yet, even with the lack of hope that I see, I have a sneaking suspicion that I am going to walk into more hope than I’ve ever walked in before, because God is a God of incredible hope, and He loves to enter into hopeless situations and turn them around.

Popular posts from this blog

Packing...again.

I just folded the last load of laundry and I’m almost packed. Off to the airport at 5am tomorrow morning, heading off to Amsterdam. I’m excited, a bit nervous, and wondering what it’ll be like. It’s been a good week at home with lots of quality time with family, especially the little nieces and nephew. I’m glad I’ll see them in April again. Well, not much to write and packing to be done and a bit of sleep would probably be a good idea too. Next time I write it’ll be from Amsterdam....

Snapshots of life...

Life. What is life anyway? And what does it mean to live life to the full? A little reflection there. One thing I do know is that I am alive and that the days seem to pass by quicker then I would like them to. The month of July has literally flown by... I can’t believe this weekend it’ll already be August. Where did July go? It’s been an eventful month. Last week was my birthday and I felt very loved and valued. Going for a Brazilian BBQ with some friends in a week or so and I am very excited!! I really hope it’s authentic and good, or I think I will most certainly be a tad disappointed. I also got given a car, almost on the day of my birthday. A good friend of mine got given another car and so she gave me her old one. It took a week and a bit for the garage to fix it up and pass it in the inspection, and getting it licensed in my name and getting insurance wasn’t totally straightforward, but I now have it. And it feels so freeing and lovely when I’m driving my own car!!! It’s a golden...

Small moments that mean a lot

Walking home on the crunchy snow that lights up a December evening,  I felt so thankful. The revelation that fellowship and being together is the best gift you can give someone, and realising that although it might seem small, it can turn into something big when a person feels seen and valued.  Yesterday I helped out with a crafts workshop for a group of lovely women volunteering for Crux where I worked before (well, in all honesty: they were making angels while I ate Christmas cookies, Quality Street chocolate, and chatted). I love walking alongside people in conversation, and realise sharing life for 2 hours can last so much longer in value and experience.  This evening we had our Christmas dinner for volunteers and people who are part of my current job. It was a delightful evening with many nations gathered around the same table…. eating the same food… and for a few hours creating a small fellowship moment that will become a good memory for the future. Often in my job ...