gwynsday1

In life, there are moments when faith is all we can cling to, a fragile bridge between the known and the unfathomable. But what does it truly mean to have faith? Is it a compelling desire to see our deepest desires come to pass, a la a genie in a bottle, or does it challenge us to relinquish control, to submit ourselves to the grander design God has for us?

My belief in the latter hinges on the concept of surrender—a notion often misconstrued as a passive act. On the contrary, I see surrender as the most radical display of faith. It is the moment when we step back, open our palms, and give the reins to the divine, understanding that our limited vision pales in comparison to His omniscience.

This perspective on faith, as a call for surrender, is rooted deeply in personal experience. In a recent season of my life, I was confronted with a new health challenge—losing my voice. It was an unexpected blow, one that carried the threat of permanence. In those initial waves of frustration and anger, I found myself at a crossroads—torn between belief and doubt, between holding onto my own desires and yielding to a greater plan.

I was instantly reminded of the biblical account in Mark 9:26-28, where a father pleads for Jesus to heal his possessed son, crying out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” The man’s plea was not a simple request for wish-fulfillment; it was a desperate confession, an acknowledgment of the war within his soul. Much like the father in this narrative, I too was torn.

In my own narrative, surrender was not a single act but a series of choices, daily recommitting to trust that everything would be alright, regardless of the outcome. Divine assurance did not come with immediate healing or a miraculous change in circumstances, but rather through the peace that washed over me when I chose to surrender, to lay my will at the feet of a loving and all-powerful Creator.

It was this very surrender that rendered my faith unshakeable, grounded no longer in the expectation of my own will being done, but in the recognition and acceptance of a higher purpose beyond my comprehension.

The paradox of surrender lies in its potential for liberation. By letting go of our need to control every outcome, we can experience a freedom that transcends our circumstances. It doesn’t mean we resign ourselves to passivity; instead, we take action from a place of peace and trust, actively waiting, knowing that what is for us will not pass us by.

The power of surrender is in the stillness it creates. In our most desperate moments, when darkness threatens to consume us, it beckons us to step back and allow the light to shine through. This isn’t an admission of defeat but rather a declaration of strength, proclaiming that our faith in something greater than ourselves is unyielding.

In a world that often glorifies self-reliance and control, surrender may seem counterintuitive. Still, it is this very act that bestows upon us the resilience to weather life’s storms. It allows for a faith that endures, unwavering in the face of uncertainty.

And so, with each breath, with each step, I choose surrender. I choose to believe that, regardless of the path I walk, I am guided by a force more substantial than my own, whose love and wisdom can shape even the most grievous trials into opportunities for growth.

As soon as the temperature drops my sweet girl goes into a type of hibernation and if there’s any snow or rain forget even trying to go outside! For her first few years she decided that a lecture was worth it if it meant not having to go out to take care of her business. In fact, it was in one room in particular she favored to take care of her needs but now that she is older, she holds it to the point I start to watch her in case she slips back into her old ways.

This was how I thought it would be for her the other morning. I was lying in bed; I heard the sound of rain. I knew it had to be really coming down if I heard it. As we got out of bed Paddy began jumping around excided to get up and start the day, but I was thinking if only she knew what was waiting for her, she wouldn’t be so happy, poor thing. I knew how it would go but offered her the option of going out and as I figured she sniffed the air heard the rain and walked away from the door, sad and defeated. Needless to say, breakfast wasn’t eaten, and the long wait began, or so I thought.

Now, on this particular morning she didn’t do her normal I’ll wait under the blanket instead she paced around whining. I would open the door she’d go out but not past the covering of the porch, then bolt back in. This continued for a while, I was short of patience and grumbled at her to just buck up and go out.

After I grumbled, I felt bad. I understand she doesn’t like the cold or discomfort. In fact, I don’t blame her really but as I cuddled her and told her I was sorry I had a gentle nudge from God reminding me of how I act just like my sweet girl.

I will pace around become whinny and downright irritating to be around, instead of just doing the thing I need to do.

There are so many things I back away from now that I am older and have health challenges. Discomfort and I aren’t friends by any stretch of the imagination. I complain about the cold, where I live, the lack of this or that. I also back away from moving forward with some things even though the thing that needs done will in the end bring so much more joy and comfort. It’s the messy middle that I back away from and choose comfort rather than growth.

We all tend to do this, am I right?

Thankfully God knows this and gives grace to us whinny people. He doesn’t grumble, lose patience or just throw us out in the cold to just buck up and get our business done. No, instead he lovingly opens the door, takes us back as many times as is needed when we smell the rain and run back in.

Paddy did brave the rain and when she got done with what she needed to do I was there with a warm blanket and loving arms to comfort her. Just like God does for us when we finally get brave enough to take care of our business, he will welcome us with arms wide open and a warm blanket for comfort.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I love a good crime drama, or a mystery book and don’t get me started on shows like 48 hours mystery true crime stories why I can binge watch that great show on a rainy day but as I was watching one of my many crime shows they were dusting for prints.

The once clean house was now covered in black powder, from top to bottom. Places that you would never have thought would have prints were now in full view for the technicians to see and do their jobs. The walls, the couch, even the ceiling fan had traces of the black powder. It was a chaotic scene, with police officers and crime scene investigators bustling around, trying to gather evidence and piece together what had happened.

Yes, it was a chaotic scene, doused with so much pain you could feel it through the T.V. screen. I feel for the family members that are left to pick up the pieces after the trauma. I say a quick prayer for them and move on but this time a song I heard “Fingerprints” by Dan Bremnes went through my head, its’ a great song and it got me thinking.

Now, stay with me a moment. Life is hard, life can feel like one big crime scene. The hurt can be everywhere but what if in the middle of the ugly scene we not only see the chaos but the fingerprints that lead to the healing. We see God’s fingerprints all over the scene helping us in the middle of the heart ache. It’s the ugliness of this world that can show of the fingerprints just as much if not more than even the most beautiful sunrise or babies’ smile.


We all experience difficult times in our lives. Whether it’s dealing with a loss, facing financial struggles, or battling health issues, life can often feel like one big crime scene. The pain and hurt can seem to be everywhere we turn, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

But what if I told you that amidst the chaos of this crime scene, there are also clear fingerprints – fingerprints that lead to hope and healing? These are not just any fingerprints, but the fingerprints of God. Yes, even in the midst of our heartache, God is at work behind the scenes, leaving His mark on every aspect of our lives.

It may be hard to see at first. In fact, it may seem easier to focus on the negative aspects of our circumstances. But as we begin to shift our perspective it’s applying the powder and in doing so, we see God’s fingerprints, we will start to see how He is working all things together for our good.

One clear fingerprint of God can be found in the support and love of those around us. When we are going through a difficult time, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. But when we open ourselves up to others and share our struggles, we allow them to come alongside us and show us the love and care that God has placed in their hearts.

Another fingerprint of God is found in the strength and courage that He gives us during trying times. It may seem impossible to get through a difficult situation on our own, but with God by our side, nothing is too hard. He gives us the strength to persevere and the courage to face each day with hope and determination.

God’s fingerprint can also be seen in the healing and restoration that takes place after a trial or hardship. Just like how a broken bone becomes stronger at the point of fracture, we too become stronger and more resilient through our struggles. And as we look back on those difficult times, we can see how God used them to shape us into better versions of ourselves.

Lastly, one of the most powerful fingerprints of God is His grace and forgiveness. No matter what mistakes or failures we may have made, God is always there to extend His grace and forgive us. This reminds us that no matter how far we may stray from Him, His love for us remains.

“God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble” (Psalm 46:1-3).

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)

Jeremiah 31:3 – I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

In the grand theater of life, our expectations script the subtle nuances in every scene. They form the lens through which we perceive the world and shape our vision. For the personal development aficionado or the self-help disciple, unraveling the intricate relationship between expectation and vision is instrumental in tuning into a better reality.

The Weaver of Perspectives: Expectations

At the core, expectations aren’t just fleeting desires or mere hopes; they are potent elements that subtly influence our every move. They color our interactions, decisions, and ultimately our destiny. Expectations act as painters, adding shades and tones that become the backdrop and foreground of our life’s canvas.

When our expectations are rooted in positivity, our vision naturally gravitates towards opportunities and openness. Conversely, when anchored in pessimism or cynicism, our vision may unconsciously filter out the potentialities, leaving us in a state of blind ignorance.

Understanding this dynamic calls for a deep introspective dive. Are our expectations crafting a vision of abundance or a reality of scarcity? Answering this question requires a level of mindfulness and self-awareness that, when honed, can empower us to wield our expectations for intentional, constructive vision-building.

Reflecting Reality: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

In the psychological realm, the self-fulfilling prophecy is a concept that underscores the powerful connection between our beliefs, actions, and outcomes. If we expect something to occur, consciously or subconsciously, we will shape our behavior and decisions in ways that increase the likelihood of that expectation coming true.

Consider this in the context of personal goals or career progression. If we expect to fail, we might not apply ourselves fully, missing crucial opportunities that could lead to success. Conversely, a steadfast expectation of success could drive us to strive harder, seizing every chance to excel.

By recognizing this cycle, we can break free of negative feedback loops and deliberately construct positive spirals. Each choice can then be made with a vision so refined and focused that it becomes a preview of the life we are meant to live. To help myself with this, I reflect on Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

This verse helps remind me that if the thought is not honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or praiseworthy then let go of the thoughts that are self-destructive and in doing so the beautiful colors of our lives come together instead of being marred with ugly colors of negativity.

Managing the Mighty E: Methods for Expectation-Taming

If unchecked, expectations can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. But when managed, they can enrich our life’s tapestry. Actively setting realistic, optimistic expectations is pivotal. This is not to suggest blinding oneself to the complexities of life, but rather navigating them with a positive mindset.

A cornerstone in mantra to adopt is that of acceptance. Embracing the ebb and flow of life, while steering it with intentionality, is key to managing expectations. Similarly, fostering gratitude for what we have and acknowledging the unpredictability of each day keeps expectations malleable and attuned to reality.

Moreover, communication plays a critical role in mitigating undue expectations. Whether with acquaintances, friends, or colleagues, clear and transparent communication can provide a shared understanding that aligns individual and collective visions.

The Tapestry of Teal and Coral: Societal and Personal Expectations

Society weaves a complex web of expectations that intertwine with our personal aspirations. From cultural norms to familial desires, these societal threads can either complement or clash with the hue of our inner expectations, greatly impacting our vision.

In facing societal expectations that seem at odds with one’s personal vision, it is vital to remain grounded in self-awareness. This may involve taking courageous steps that contradict the norm or require a level of resilience to withstand the tugs and pulls from the exterior.

On the personal front, investigating one’s expectations for validity and relevance is a powerful exercise. Many of our personal expectations are inherited or conditioned responses that might not serve our present journeys. By shedding those that do not resonate, we can embrace a more authentic and self-directed vision.

Nurturing the Vision: Expectation as a Garden

If vision is the garden, then expectation is the weather. It can be sunny and nurturing, or stormy and destructive. Engaging in continuous self-reflection to assess the state of our mental weather is a practice that champions a clear and robust vision.

Cultivating mindfulness, staying present in the moment, and acknowledging the power our expectations wield are pivotal steps. Engaging in practices such as meditation, journaling, or daily affirmations can foster a garden of expectations that yield a vision of personal fulfillment, growth, and serenity.

In summary, our expectations are the architects of the vision we hold. Like any craftsmanship, the blueprint requires precision, mindfulness, and continual refinement. By actively managing our expectations, we not only shape our individual outlook but contribute to the collective panorama of human experience.

Embrace the interplay of expectation and vision. Let your expectations be of the kind that fuel a vision of vibrancy and potential. In doing so, you invite a reality that is rich, colorful, and uniquely yours.

So, this spring as things come to life how about we let our vision of vibrancy bloom.