7.29.14

Breakfast - 2 frosted blueberry poptarts
Lunch - Brixx Pizza
Dinner - ritz crackers and cheese probably

Expectations

I live my life with two expectations:

1. To expect the world to expect everything from me
2. To expect nothing in return 

These expectations keep me happy. They challenge me to give my all everyday without motive. I don’t lay it all out there so certain efforts will ever be acknowledged, valued or reciprocated, I do it because that’s what you’re supposed to do. These expectations make life pleasant and minimize any potential opportunity for disappointment.

But this weekend I realized that these two expectations I’ve created for myself have become more of a shield than a mantra.

I spent last Thursday through Sunday partaking in an experience unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I’d try to explain it but I simply couldn’t come close. Like, not even on the same planet close. All you need to know is that 50 strangers gathered together to embark on a journey that ended in real, authentic healing. Spiritual healing.

Everyone took something different away from this experience; this Encounter. I witnessed multiple breakthroughs happen for several individuals. My breakthrough? Man, it rocked my world.

I was born and raised with a strong faith in Jesus. I’m proud of that and I’m blessed by that. But this code, this mantra of expectations I live by, has become a shield in guarding me from putting any kind of faith in people. People are broken and this is a fallen world, so why have faith in people when they’re just going to disappoint you? <— My mindset before this weekend.

This weekend I had a moment.

A moment that rocked my world and gave me reason to believe in people again; in their goodness, potential and beauty. Yes, we’re broken, but there is a silver lining in that brokenness and there is value that can be created out of that brokenness. Someone gave me value. These people gave me value. They looked into my core and decided they wanted me to live. Not so they could expect things from me, but so they could lift me up and carry me when I thought no one ever would.

I’m grateful today. Grateful for these beautiful individuals who shattered my expectations and restored my faith in people. For anyone and everyone, I highly recommend you check out the Encounter Training experience. You won’t regret it!