Kept running into people recommending author Elizabeth Elliot (like Tim Keller and Jerry Bridges). So, I checked her out on Thrift Books and ordered Loneliness. Read it in two days. Found my next step of acceptance in moving through grief.

She talks about the widow who used her last supply to prepare a meal for Elisha. The question he had asked her was what’s in the house.

Elizabeth then says if loneliness is in the house make it an offering to God – an acceptance of His will. I realized that I was trying to adjust to being alone. I was trying to get through it, waiting for something to fill the void. But I saw adjusting is not the same as accepting. Waiting for it to hurt less is not accepting. Loneliness accepted, received as a gift, can be offered to God. It can be worship. This can happen as we recognize He is always acting in love toward us. He is always working for our good which glorifies Him. Our good and His glory – always together.

What I offer is what I have – all I have, all of the emptiness I have. He receives it and makes of it more than I can imagine. Have you noticed in that account that the oil flowed until all the emptiness was filled.

In January I noticed that wrong expectations cause problems. I’ve been thinking about that and looking into it a bit.

My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Ps. 62:5

Now as the people were in expectation and all reasoned in their hearts . .  . Luke 3:15

. . . be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Luke 12:40

Depending on our expectations can mean we won’t be prepared. If the reasoning in our heart is not Word based, it can and will lead us to believe lies.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. I Pet. 4:12

Be on guard against false expectations. They can cause wrong feelings, wrong conclusions, wrong paths. They can keep us from being prepared for difficult situations.

Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. William Carey

Our expectations inspire and inform our attempts.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom. 8:19

Earnest expectation fuels and enables eager waiting.

According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Phil. 1:20

Earnest expectation based on truth (God’s Word) brings assurance and boldness for life or death – denying flesh now and even to the point of death.

Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor. 2:11

The right knowledge of our enemy and the warfare waged against us is essential for living in victory won for us.