Action Over Expectation

When Claire McGarry’s son wishes for more fun in college, she realizes she too suffers from the grass-is-always-greener syndrome.

My husband and I spent the day yesterday visiting our son, Mason, who is a freshman in college. It’s the first time we’ve seen him since we moved him into his dorm at the end of August.  

Overall, he’s doing well. But he’s disappointed in the social life at school. Maybe my husband and I overhyped how much fun college was for us. Maybe his school doesn’t offer as many activities as they should. Maybe Mason’s expectations are too high and no college in the country can meet them.  

At the end of the day, though, the “why” doesn’t matter. It’s what Mason does from this point forward. He can sit around and lament what isn’t happening. Or he can take charge of his life and initiate his own fun. He’s made enough friends to do so. The proverbial ball is in his court and the decision is his.  

The grass is always greener  

Aren’t we all in the same boat of wishing life were filled with more? I suppose I should only speak for myself, but it seems I’ve always been working toward the next phase of life, thinking it will be easier and more exciting than the one I’m in.  

First, it was when I was single and yearned to be married. Then when I did get married, I was desperate to have kids. When I had kids, I couldn’t wait for them to become more independent so there wasn’t so much work for me to do, and on and on. 

Content in all circumstances  

Saint Paul, in Philippians 4:11-13, talks about how he’s learned to be content in all circumstances, whether well fed or hungry, living with plenty or going without. He capitalized on what was before him and used it to promote God’s kingdom.  

Mason’s agenda isn’t to promote God’s kingdom just yet (hopefully it will be some day). But the same philosophy applies. He needs to focus on what he does have, and then take advantage of that, investing himself so he creates the environment he yearns for.  

So too with us. No matter what our goal is, God is always providing. We just have to let go of our expectations, recognize what we do have, and capitalize on that.   

God doesn’t want us to just survive. He wants us to thrive. It’s time to see the gifts and opportunities He’s placed before us and participate in bringing them to fruition. 

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Copyright 2024 Claire McGarry
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