Are you expecting?

Do you remember writing a Christmas list? Mine would be filled with toys, treats, video games and that one special big wish. My big wish would include things like a BMX bike, a video game console, or a brand new Commodore 64 computer with a 5” disk drive with a set of “Where in the world is Carmen San Diego” floppies.
On Christmas morning, when I sat down with my family beside the tree we would open our gifts by taking turns. AS the youngest I would go first hoping that I would get that the first brightly wrapped package that I opened would contain the fulfillment of that one big wish. While unwrapping the box I would wonder, “Is this the one?” However, when I opened the box I would inevitably find something like several jumbo packs of tube socks and one pair of nice black dress socks. I would smile, weakly, and say something polite with a look of thinly veiled disappointment in my eyes. When it was my turn again, I would feel renewed with that same hope and anticipation as the first time, “Is this the one?” Then, I would carefully unwrap and uncover a big beautiful sweater. Another weak smile would creep across my face, except with greater effort this time, and I would force out another polite expression. My brothers would take their turns and then my parents and finally back to me for another round of gift unwrapping. Again and again we would go as I alternated between anticipation and disappointment until that one box was unwrapped to reveal that gift that I had been waiting for. My one big wish come true on display in front of me in all of its glory!
Expectations can take us on a roller coaster like that. We like to get what we want. We want to foresee what should be based on our desires and anticipate the future. When we don’t get what we expect, often feelings of disappointment and even discouragement follow. Something must be wrong. How can reality fail to conform to our rigid preset goals, ideas, and timetables? While searching for the expected we can easily gloss over all of the other gifts that God has given us along the way. We can fail to recognize the care and kindness in His provision for our lives.
Try laying aside your expectations for the next few months. Instead put on an attitude of expectancy. Trust God to do something good without defining what it has to be. Enjoy the wonder of anticipating the unknown, and accept every gift with genuine gratitude. Let it direct your attention to the giver, our good, gracious, and loving Father.

Dick Van Dyke Show theme song lyrics

On the radio show,"Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!", Dick Van Dyke sang the words to the theme song of the Dick Van Dyke Show. I have copied them below:

"So you think that you've got trouble, well trouble's a bubble, so tell old Mr. Trouble to get lost. Why not hold your head up high and stop crying, start trying, and don't forget to keep your fingers crossed. When you find the joy of living is loving and giving, you'll be there when the winning dice are tossed. A smile is just a frown that's turned upside down, so smile and that frown will defrost. And don't forget to keep your fingers crossed."