Friday, June 8, 2012

Expectations

I am linking up with Gypsy Mama for 5 Minute Friday, where you write for 5 minutes, no editing, no over-thinking, you just write! What you get is what you get!


Theme: Expectation
 
 
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I used to think I knew about unconditional love the moment I became a mother. My precious baby stole my heart and there was nothing that could ever make me stop loving her. I thought I knew what love felt, and I even thought I finally could understand God’s love for me.

The birth of my second daughter, however, challenged my idea of “unconditional love” and showed me how little I understood God’s love for me. My new baby, Nichole, born with Down syndrome, did not meet any of my expectations. I wondered then if my love for my first child had come so easily because she had indeed met every expectation I could have had for her.

I saw Nichole as broken and I struggled to love her. I quickly came to realize that I was the broken one, and it was really God’s love the only love I knew that was completely unconditional. Amazing how God has used my own daughter, a little girl with Down syndrome, to teach me and show me what unconditional love really looks and feels like.

It is not about expectations, it never should have been. It has always been about love.

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12 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:24 PM

    Hi Ellen,

    Stopped by from Gypsy Mama. I am SO glad I clicked on your blog today; I read your profile and your entry and I just wanted to encourage you in that you truly display an image of what it is like to lay down your life. You have chosen to willingly lay aside your dreams, ambitions, hopes and offense in order to disciple and raise your sweet baby girl.

    Although the world may not "reward" you here now, be encouraged that your rewards will be eternal on the Day of the Lord! You are a perfect example of what it is to live Matthew 5 (The Sermon on the Mont)

    Blessings!

    http://iclaudy.wordpress.com/

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    Replies
    1. I will stop by your blog and say hi. Thanks for the words of encouragement. You know, God has given me new dreams and hopes, and it is exciting to see those unfold :)

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  2. Anonymous1:31 PM

    Beautiful post. No expectation - only love. Wonderful.
    Blessings,
    Jan

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  3. Nichole is so beautiful. I love that picture!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I agree, even with her messy hair she is beautiful :)

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  4. Thanks for replying on my post.
    I like your conclusion--it's not about expectations, it's about love.

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    Replies
    1. Kristina, thank you for stopping by!

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  5. This was really beautiful. So honest and beautiul, thank you for sharing it.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words Tannis!

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  6. What a beautiful picture of God's love you paint with your words and your life. What a gorgeous, precious beautiful gift wrapped in baby girl, you have :)

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  7. The pictures is so sweet of your daughter. I loved your thoughts today. I just dropped by for the first time; I will return again.
    Living Waters by LeAnn @ http://lgwilliams.blogspot.com

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. If you do not subscribe to comments, make sure you check back for my reply to your comment.

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