expectations

recently, i've been thinking & talking with some friends a lot about expectations...expectations that we have for our own lives or that others have for us and how to reconcile the differences between them and what is actually happening in our lives. my life has gone quite differently from how i thought it would go, which in a way is disappointing and carries traces of failure & discouragement, but then on the other hand...how great that there have been so many unexpected adventures and so many surprises however much it feels like free falling. i'm learning not to adhere so stringently to "the plan" and to allow room for God to rearrange things and totally turn them upside down. there's a C.S. Lewis quote that i love that reflects this:

"Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord.' The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received."

there's actually a lot of peace in that kind of letting go....it's so hard to do but is amazing when you can truly surrender your plans unto the Lord.

this weekend i'm leaving for bermuda & i'll be there for about a week....i'm looking at this as kind of a regrouping retreat & a way to refocus, renew & seek what the Lord has for me. should be good & sure beats sitting in the backyard...i'll post island pics!:)