expectations

Something that can hurt a relationship (whether it's family, friends, your guy/girl)...is expecting more from that person than they are truly able to give you.  You think that this certain person in your life will be the solution to your problems, will never hurt you, will never mess up, will never be too busy for you, will always have the right things to say, will always be there...but sometimes that's not what happens. And when that person ends up "messing up" you can feel hurt, frustrated, not understood and consequently you will be the one that begins hurting your relationship. Those expectations can add a pressure that they, or even you, can never live up to.
I sometimes find myself forming those kind of expectations on people I love and am truly sorry. I'm sorry because I do the same things...I hurt people, I say the wrong things, I am sometimes "too busy" for someone else, I'm selfish. I'm sorry because the only one that can truly live up to those kind of expectations is God. God is the only one that can fill my heart completely and it's not fair of me to expect that from anyone else. God is the solution, God will never hurt you or forsake you, he's always there, He always has the right things to say, he will never love you less for something you've done.
We are to put God first in all things...especially relationships, because not only will God's unchanging, huge love fill your heart and end up flowing out of you, it will take that pressure off of your other relationships and end up making them stronger. When I remember those truths, I find it easier to forgive, harder to get mad and can really appreciate, respect and love on the people in my life (and God) much better. I don't think that this is an excuse to not try to work at loving others, it is the reason we love them and forgive them....because God first loved us and forgives.



God....Thank you for your amazing love that never fails. Help me to always remember that you, and you alone, are the only one that can fill my heart completely.  Help me not to expect that kind of heart filling from anyone else.Forgive me for hurting others and help me find ways to love them better.Help me to take that pressure off of them and to just love with the kind of love you give me.