Too Much From Others, Too Little From Self

We are a very expectant people. No matter what role we play in life, we naturally expect certain things from the people that we interact with. I have recently been reminded of just how wrongfully expectant I am. Being married now for three years, I have had my share of high expectations for my husband to fill, and he has had the same for me. I remember the first few months of newlywed bliss, when my husband and I were just beginning to learn and recognize the expectations that we held for each other. I must begrudgingly say that I have had some very high expectations for my husband to fill, but have failed to see what I must "live up to" before those are met. Being a wife is so often misconstrued as a position where for the rest of your life, you are praised and pampered, and treated like a queen. Yes, your husband should love you, treat you kindly, and encourage you; but, so often we just expect that to happen no matter what our actions are, or how we have treated him or others. As I said before, I was recently reminded of just how much I as a wife have to "live up to" in order to be considered a "good" wife or to gain those things I so desperately expect from my husband. Having recently heard detailed teaching on the Bible passage in Proverbs 31, my perspective of my role as a wife has been altered. I have so many duties to fulfill, so much to live up to, so many things to learn, so much of myself to put aside, and so much for others to put before me, before I even think about being praised or pampered "just for being a wife." It was one of the biggest eye openers for me since I have been married, and I am so grateful that my perspective has been changed. My husband deserves the best, and I know that he will completely fulfill my expectations that I have for him if I focus on what I should be fulfilling as a Christian woman. With all that said, I have to add that I am the most spoiled wife in the world, despite all of my shortcomings. I have a wonderful husband.