--- title: Beyond Expectations description: How can we learn to move beyond our expectations to the greater ones we are shown by Jesus and his Father? --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/02/04/beyond-expectations#) # Beyond Expectations Feb 4, 2015 9:30:25 AM  |  by [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) [![Echo Point, Australia copyright D Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/echo-point.jpg?width=200&height=150&name=echo-point.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/echo-point.jpg) Echo Point, Australia copyright D Bartalini Somehow we are already done with the “new year” and are getting ready for the next celebration. I, however, am not ready for the next thing at all. I have not gotten my word, my marching orders, my next move as of yet from God. I think I was a bit presumptuous when I decided I would pray in January very specifically for what the “plan” is for the year. So far, as best as I can discern I need to be still, keep praying and stop worrying about tomorrow. That’s like asking me to not talk with my hands! The other day I was studying the Gospel of John, chapter 6. The first part of that chapter is the miracle of the loaves and fishes, (6:5-15) and the commentary I was reading spoke about the disciples’ response to Jesus’ question of how to buy bread to feed the people. The disciples have been with Jesus by now for some time and have seen many signs, yet they remain limited in their understanding of who Jesus is, where he came from and his ability to care for people. The commentary says this, “Andrew and Philip have been with Jesus from the first days of the Gospel, but they have not learned from their master’s attempt to draw them beyond the limitations of their expectations (Sacra Pagina, 197). I am in the same boat as Andrew and Philip. Many times in my life I have witnessed and been taken beyond the limit of expectations. I also know that usually I am prepared in some way before it occurs. After reading and praying and pondering this sentence for close to a week, I’m going to rest in it and know that eventually, the Master will draw me beyond what my finite self can imagine. My challenge will be to stop asking, to wait patiently and to not have expectations. This is a lesson to learn that will help me rise above my-self and learn to trust more fully on God. Is God calling you to learn something new or more deeply as we move into Lent? *Copyright 2015 Deanna Bartalini* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2F04%2Fbeyond-expectations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2F04%2Fbeyond-expectations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2F04%2Fbeyond-expectations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Beyond%20Expectations) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2F04%2Fbeyond-expectations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2F04%2Fbeyond-expectations%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Deanna%20Bartalini%202025-1.png) ### [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of [LiveNotLukewarm.com](https://LiveNotLukewarm.com), works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister. Deanna writes from her experiences of over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren. ## Related Blog Articles [ When Life Is Unpredictable Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/when-life-is-unpredictable) [ Mercy and Confession Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/02/16/mercy-and-confession) [ Praise Moments: Mended Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/11/19/praise-moments-mended) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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