In times of transition, we often want to do things differently from one phase to the next. When we graduate high school, we seek to be treated like an adult, so we take on more responsibility like attending college or moving out of our parent’s house. When we change jobs, we want to bring our best to the next position, so we do everything in our power to be our best self. When a relationship ends, we make every effort to take the best parts with us and learn from the difficult ones.

For me, this came down to a welcome mat.

How many times have your expectations shifted your mood, your interactions with people, or even your responses to the world around you?

It happens to me more frequently than I’d like to admit. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m a firstborn, or your quintessential Type A personality, whatever the reason, disappointment due to expectations is something that I struggle with.

“Everything will be okay” – the words I heard from God at a time when things felt so uncertain. It was a season where I was feeling all the things at once: excitement, joy, fear, inadequacy, unprepared. Those words brought comfort and peace to my chaotic thought life. But I soon realized that my definition of “okay” and God’s definition were not the same. As I laid in bed in the ER, tubes coming out of me, and an ultrasound with no heartbeat, it felt the furthest from okay.

This week I helped in two of my sons classes for their Halloween parties. I’ve always loved being in my kids’ classes, seeing how they interact with their peers, and helping their teachers in any way I can. My mom set a great example of that when I was a child and I wanted to continue that for my children.

Ever come across a child in the grocery store who is outgoing and willing to strike up a conversation with you? It’s happened to me many times, especially when I have my own kids with me. The conversation usually wanders from the toy they’re holding to their shirt (which is their favorite color), and eventually we get to their age. As a mom with littles (ages 5 and under), I was fairly confident in my age guessing skills.