Expectations

Why is it so much easier to forgive a stranger than it is to forgive someone you love? The answer is simple-expectations. We don't expect anything from strangers. But we do have expectations from those we know. We expect obedience from our children, trust and loyalty from our friends, love and respect from our spouse... Often, though, the other person doesn't even know what that expectation is or what you want it to look like. We expect our spouse to show us love, but our spouse doesn't know that to you, show love looks like him helping you with the housework. Also, we sometimes place expectations on people that are not theirs to carry. It is not my husbands job to make me happy. There are some expectations that are God's job to fill, and it is unfair and unreasonable to place those expectations on anyone else. It will only lead to disappointment and unforgiveness.