A Prayer for Peaceful Expectations

Prince of Peace,

In my Pinterest world

I pin and post in preparation for perfection.

In my conflict-laced world

I skate on the surface of denial.

In my Grinch-threatened world

I bury my dreams inside disillusion.

But I can’t stop longing

for a peaceful Christmas.

In past seasons of outrageous expectations

I expected much from myself

much from my family

much from everyone.

And much was expected of me.

Disappointment loomed.

People-pleasing ran me ragged.

The right gifts

perfect attendance

pasted-on smiles

never produced peace

but increased frustration.

Your Word and your people

taught me to expect less.

To grant myself grace

widen berth between family members

and seek your Spirit’s guidance.

Now I expect some brokenness

some conflict

some disappointment.

Leaving room for a little hurt

opens up wide spaces

for Christmas peace.

I find peace by seeking you first

by caring for myself

by serving my husband and children.

All other requests can wait.

I set my expectations

down at your feet

and settle my heart

in your peace and hope.

This poem-prayer was based on my chapter for Peaceful Expectations in my book below. See the online Bible study entry for Peaceful Expectations also.

Looking for more Christmas hope? Check out my book, Christmas Peace for Busy Moms, and my recent blog series, Trading Anxiety for Peace.

For the next three weeks of the Advent season, I’ll be sharing Advent prayers here on the blog. They will be short, easy reads to lift you up in your busy days. I’ll also have batches of book reviews for you on Tuesdays, in case you need some last-minute Christmas gift ideas.

Also, I’m SO excited that I will be featured on the (in)courage blog on December 23 with a special Christmas-themed post. I hope you’ll take a minute or two to read it on that day, and let me know what you think!

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