do you remember laboring through dickens' great expectations in
the ninth grade? honestly, the title threw me off. after all, i had
heard great things about the author and had pretty big expectations.
i was terribly disappointed. i think i enjoyed laboring through my
childrens' births more.
"barkis is willing," is one of my favorite lines, but few know to
what i am referring when i quote it. i sympathized with him, as
we both had such great expectations. i can't remember if clara ever
married him, but it would make me feel better to know that one of
us had a happy moment in the story.
on the other hand, i was completely mesmerized by a tale of two
cities. was it my low expectations or a fine book that brought
me such pleasure? since "occupy wall street" has taken over so
many of our city parks, i have wondered if guillotines will be
added to the venue. the guillotine was a huge character in the
tale, but i digress.
back to expectations: if i expect my husband to "clean" the
kitchen after dinner, i will certainly be disappointed, as there
will be a sinkful of dishes and crumbs all over the counters. have
you noticed that "sinkful"and "sinful" are practically the same
word?
if, however, i do not expect my husband to clean the kitchen, i
will be happily surprised to enjoy his company pattering along
while i clean. he will bring me dishes from the table and put them
in the sink, saving me many steps.
not expecting,
lea
"for i have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
philippians 4:11
the ninth grade? honestly, the title threw me off. after all, i had
heard great things about the author and had pretty big expectations.
i was terribly disappointed. i think i enjoyed laboring through my
childrens' births more.
"barkis is willing," is one of my favorite lines, but few know to
what i am referring when i quote it. i sympathized with him, as
we both had such great expectations. i can't remember if clara ever
married him, but it would make me feel better to know that one of
us had a happy moment in the story.
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| google image |
on the other hand, i was completely mesmerized by a tale of two
cities. was it my low expectations or a fine book that brought
me such pleasure? since "occupy wall street" has taken over so
many of our city parks, i have wondered if guillotines will be
added to the venue. the guillotine was a huge character in the
tale, but i digress.
back to expectations: if i expect my husband to "clean" the
kitchen after dinner, i will certainly be disappointed, as there
will be a sinkful of dishes and crumbs all over the counters. have
you noticed that "sinkful"and "sinful" are practically the same
word?
if, however, i do not expect my husband to clean the kitchen, i
will be happily surprised to enjoy his company pattering along
while i clean. he will bring me dishes from the table and put them
in the sink, saving me many steps.
not expecting,
lea
"for i have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
philippians 4:11
18 comments:
I love this! I've (sort of) happily been washing dishes on my own since we had kiddos (he helped when we first got married) and a few weeks ago Ben walked in and said "I feel bad, I've been sitting on the computer while you do the dishes by yourself" and has been drying while I wash ever since. It was a very nice surprise! :D
Well, you know I never thought about that I do happen to have a husband who helps and I am glad that my sons help their wives. :)
We have some of our best chats cleaning the kitchen, but I don't know if I ever expected it.
I just happen to like cleaning the kitchen so maybe that is why. Now cleaning flowerbeds? well, that is a different story, and I do have Great Expectations. :) Which of course never happens.
Great post.
I loved Tale of Two Cities, too! And Jane Eyre was also high on my list. I think it has something to do with unrequited love and oh so tragic circumstances.:)
PS Great advice! I think it wise not to get your hopes up concerning housework and husbands.;)
Just smiling at the whole train of your thoughts! :)
I loved what you are talking about here. It is soo true. How my "expectations" of certain events and situations have led to my many a disappointment, haha. Soo much better to be pleasantly surprised! Have a wonderful day!
Sounds like a good PS to my clean- up post.
All my life I heard "he who expects little isn't disappointed much, but he who expects much is disappointed a lot"...my Dad said it and still does
I am sure there is a balance in that
As for dishes being washed...well my post let everyone know what happens in my house...LOL
My expectations have gotten me into much trouble over the years. I have learned to hold life much more loosely, give the benefit of the doubt (aka grace), and cease & decist from perfectionism. You're right, godliness with contentment is great gain!
I've not read "Great Expectations" and, after this review, it'll remain that way. =) It's nice to have a man to help around the house. Glad that yours does!
It is so true … the lower your expectations, the greater the chance they will be exceeded!
Learning to be content, that's a big one in life. I remember my husband telling me a while back that it was our year to learn to be content. I remember *not* liking that thought :-)
Love your witty-ness, as always~
~Cinnamon
I have a letter that my mom passed onto me about 'expectations'...it was just along the lines to never expect, but then when something unexpected does happen it is that much more special. Just like your post. :-)
Sadly about all the books I had to read in high school...I honestly don't remember a lot about those books. I seem to have such a bad memory when it comes to that. :-(
:o) Expectations...how true...it is so much fun when something wonderfully unexpected occurs...like a smile from a little one...or a sweet treat left on the nightstand...or a beautiful bloom brought to your workplace...or an "I Love You!" txt that "pops" up on your phone...
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you so very much for your visit! I am again behind in my blog visit...hope to catch up on my next day off...Friday :o)
The books we read at school were truly great books but oh so tedious. I reread Tale of Two Cities recently and enjoyed it immensely. I too was thinking of the rebellion in that particular story in the context of the current protests.
You are so wise! Our expectations can change how we view many things. One thing is for certain, if one doesn't voice their needs than we shouldn't expect much of anything. Most husbands are willing to help but need some direction. Blessings!
I do expect my husband to clean up after himself on his cooking days. Have you ever noticed how men clean? They clean the dishes and leave the sink and the counters dirty. At least I no longer expect him to clean these. I've long given up this hope :-)
Sigh...i really enjoy this post...i love your reminders in the midst of life...beautiful!
You know I kind of feel the same way regarding contentment. I just wonder if my willingness to be content is at times living beneath where I should. I don't know. I think about this because I've been so disappointed when my expectations were high.
I'm not expecting either ;)
Kate
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