The munch - great expectations #2

Grace Leong is a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, a proud mum of one and with another one on the way. Following on from our first blog in this series - Lindy Tan's article on expectations as a young workers - we've asked Grace to share her insights into expectations as a worker and a mum.

The first stage of childbirth: labour

The most common signs and symptoms in Phase One include: backache, cramps, indigestion, diarrhoea… Emotionally, you may feel excitement, relief, anticipation, uncertainty, anxiety, fear…

I remember reading these words from ‘What to expect when you are expecting’ as I prepared for the birth of my first child in 2011. My first response was ‘It’s a lot of physical discomfort as you go on an emotional roller coaster at the same time’! Is this what I should expect of my own labour experience?

Having worked in one of the Big 4s in the city for over 10 years now, I have learnt to be conservative and realistic with my expectations – the promised bonus may not come, project timelines may slip, people may not deliver as they should, the anticipated promotion may not transpire.

So as I prepared for childbirth, what should I expect?

Annabelle Sarah Leong was born on 15 November 2011 at 5:27am after my husband and I arrived at the hospital at 5am. It was quick. Very quick. Physical discomfort? Yes. Emotional roller coaster? Yes. What I didn’t expect though was the sheer joy of holding my daughter for the first time. No book can describe this joy as you meet your baby face to face after 9 months of anticipation. It’s a cliché but nothing can really prepare you for it. The moment far exceeded my expectations and this reminds me of another person, who expectations were exceeded. It wasn’t a pregnant mum but a beggar who had been crippled from birth.

Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognised him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The book of Acts 3:2-10, The Bible

When expectations are exceeded, joy abounds. It is infectious. I see this in trivial things – a holiday house which turns out better than expected gets great feedback on Stayz.com – but also when we welcomed Annabelle, many family and friends shared in my husband’s and my joy. It was also there in what happened that day, back in first century Jerusalem.

The other thought those events flags for me is that knowing Jesus exceeds the expectations purchased by silver and gold. Since I only started to following Jesus later in life as a city worker, this first sounded odd. Having been a Christian for a few years now, I can see this is truer as I have progressed in my career and progressed in life. With such an offer, at the very least, he’s worth a first or second look. Similar to the beggar, there’s no harm in giving him some attention. As for me, I am now 32 weeks pregnant with my second child and I can’t wait for my expectations to be exceeded again!

Here are some questions as food for thought during the week:

• When have your expectations have been exceeded? How did you feel?
• What are your expectations on your career, your family, on your God? Have your expectations been exceeded?