Expectations of Good

               Good news stories—can we ever hear enough of these or fail to be encouraged by the good that each story presents?  Annapolis High School in Annapolis, Maryland—never heard of it until a “good news” story on the Nightly News shared its secrets of success:  raise achievements by changing expectations.   In Annapolis before 1960, there were two schools, one for white students and one for minority students.  The difference in student achievement between the two schools was significant.

               In the 1960s, the two schools were merged but they continued to operate almost like two separate schools with minority achievement remaining low.  Things began to change about 10 years ago with a new principal, new teachers and a new expectation, that all children can be successful.  The school began operating year round and brought community leaders on board to mentor students, meeting with them weekly.  Students began to feel like people cared about them.  “Changing the perceptions of what’s possible” was part of what turned this school around, helping minority students to be much more successful in their school performance.  Everything worked together to change the “culture of what the community expects” of its young people.

               Expectation can be a powerful thing, especially when that expectation is grounded in a hope and faith that come from God.  In Psalm 62, David wrote about his expectation in God:  “My soul wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved” (62:5,6 NKJV).  David knew firsthand about the saving power of God beginning in his young days up against bears and lions and a giant named Goliath. 

               Many years ago a scripture in Ephesians became very real to me.  In Paul’s letter, he makes a great claim about what we should expect from God when we pray.  He describes God as the one “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20 NKJV).  At the time, I needed a hope and confidence far beyond what I could conjure up on my own, and God was faithful, indeed.  After a season of seeking and prayer, God gave me that “expectation of good” in another pregnancy after some hard months following the premature birth and short life of our second child.

               Yes, expectation can be a powerful thing.  Every March 16^th, I celebrate the birthday of David, now 33, and I remember the expectation of good that God gave me so many years ago as I trusted Him to be the God who brings “good news” as we seek Him.