Grace Expectations

This past week I was thinking about expectations. They are a necessary part of life. Anyone who has raised children, had a good marriage, maintained a healthy ministry, or operated a business, will tell you that without expectations it all falls apart. Boundaries must be established. There have to be rules. As I was considering the right role of expectations, the question struck me, "How do we balance expectations with grace?" When someone doesn't meet our expectations, what is the appropriate response? How much latitude do we extend? How should we react to unmet expectations? While there are certainly nuances to every situation (i.e. Is it a simple misunderstanding? Is is habitual? Is it sin?) and consequences for every action we take or do not take, what struck me as I thought through it was the example of Jesus when dealing with the failed expectations of a certain woman. There is no question that she had failed to meet expectations, and as a result was rightly placed in a position of condemnation and punishment. But Jesus response, as always, is so perfect, "'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" Now that's a grace expectation!