HALF A LOAF OF BREAD

 A friend and I were talking the other day about unmet expectations. We all know that feeling of disappointment when our hoped-for desire is unfulfilled. It might be when a romantic interest does nothing for us for Valentine’s Day. Perhaps it’s when no one celebrates our birthday, or the hinted at Christmas gift fails to appear under the tree. Newlyweds often experience this when romantic notions go down the drain along with the toothpaste that was squeezed improperly from the tube. We assume we can rely on friends, and they let us down. Most of us have stories of job prospects that fell through or vacations that went awry. Or, gasp, our favorite Christmas carol wasn’t sung by the choir at church.

Perhaps, just perhaps, we are focusing a little too much on our own selfish desires. This holiday season, I am more determined than ever to have the attitude of my dear African sister in Christ, who was always grateful for any blessing she received. All too often, she was hungry and never had quite enough to feed her children, but I never heard her complain. We did what we could to help her, but our own resources were limited. When I lamented this lack, she always firmly said, “My sister, a half a loaf of bread is better than none.”

Our American Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are coming soon. It’s cliché to mention it, but it’s so crucial to be reminded again and again to truly be thankful for God’s provision. Does it really matter if the turkey is a little overcooked or the sweet potatoes aren’t prepared the way mama used to make them? Is it really worth letting an invited guest who cancels at the last minute ruin our day? Can we just let go the fact that our relative wasn’t kind to us…again?

May we all, like the Apostle Paul, expect and hope for those things that are truly important. In Philippians 1:20, he speaks of his “earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” Now that’s a great expectation!